Cultures, territories and migration journeys across the African continent.
Benin is known worldwide as the land of Vodun. Since 1993, the country has celebrated the Vodun Festival each year on January 10. Beginning in 2024, the celebration was expanded into a multi-day event called Vodun Days. Benin’s global reputation in this regard has not developed by chance, rather, it is the result of a …
The humanitarian situation in eastern Chad is reaching a critical point. The provinces of Ouaddaï, Wadi Fira and Sila are now hosting nearly one million people fleeing the war in Sudan. Yet even before this massive influx, joint assessments by the Chadian government and humanitarian organisations indicated that two out of three people in these …
Migration remains a dominant topic in global news, sparking political debate and raising pressing humanitarian concerns. At the heart of these movements lies a common quest, which is the search for better living conditions. Economic hardship, climate change, political instability and high unemployment are just a few of the factors driving many Chadians to leave …
Intra-African migration is by no means a new phenomenon. Every year, countless numbers of Africans move across borders for work, family or educational purposes. Yet behind the appealing vision of a continent united by free movement agreements lies a far more complicated reality, marked by economic, bureaucratic and even psychological barriers. In this article, three …
In Ndiaganiao, a community in west-central Senegal, pémé known as carnelian in English, a traditional piece of jewellery, is far more than a simple accessory. At the heart of a vibrant cultural exchange, it has become a symbol of integration between Senegal and Niger, uniting communities through shared traditions and artistic expression. An ancestral ornament …
The latest Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) from the World Economic Forum (WEF), published in January 2025, underscores the severe impact of climate change on African populations, particularly through forced migration. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and heatwaves, once seen as distant threats, have become immediate and pressing concerns. These climate-related disasters are …
The Sahara desert, vast and unforgiving, is far more than just a desert: it is the scene of poignant stories where courage and danger are intertwined. Crossing this vast terrain, thousands of migrants risk their lives in the face of unrelenting insecurity and overwhelming challenges. But in the midst of these ordeals, initiatives are emerging …
Migration among Togolese youth is often viewed as a pursuit of better career opportunities. Leaving one’s country seems like a safer path to self-fulfillment. However, this phenomenon presents significant challenges, both for the migrants themselves and for Togo’s socio-economic development. Unemployment and underemployment have long been significant issues in Togo, particularly affecting young people. A …
The Togolese diaspora plays a crucial role in the country’s economic development through annual remittances. These funds represent a major source of financing, often surpassing official development assistance and foreign direct investment. But what is the real impact of these remittances on Togolese families and the national economy? How are these funds used, and what …
Despite existing laws, particularly the Protocol on Free Movement, the Right of Residence, and Establishment, governing the free movement of persons and goods within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),the reality is quite different. An attempt to cross some land borders within the ECOWAS region is enough proof. Aliou* is a Nigerien, …
The development of African cities came about as a result of one particular social factor: commerce. This reality is highlighted in a Dialogue Migration interview with Dr. Anoumou Kouassi Rodolphe, a researcher and lecturer at the Regional Centre for Excellence for Sustainable African Cities (Centre d’Excellence Régional sur les Villes Durables en Afrique -CERViDA-DOUNEDON)) and …
Zongo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lomé, Togo has undergone a spectacular transformation since 1979, when its population was estimated at only 1,400 inhabitants. Today, this emblematic neighborhood faces rapid urbanisation, reflecting the dynamics of large African cities. The most recent census reveals that Grand Lomé (the largest urban area in Togo) now has …