Cultures, territories and migration journeys across the African continent.
In Kourtere, a neighbourhood in the capital city of Niger, Niamey, families from Makalondi – a town and commune in the west of the country – are striving to rebuild their lives. Among them is Daouda, a father of five who now lives in a makeshift shelter. Having been forced to flee armed violence, he …
Indigo fabric is one of the most iconic features of Beninese culture. Thanks to the creativity of local designers and entrepreneurs, it is currently enjoying a revival. However, its current revival is just one part of its deep and fascinating history. Spread across several regions of Africa and beyond, indigo fabric took root in Benin, …
Culinary art plays a vital role in cultural blending across West Africa. In Benin, Ivorian cuisine is especially popular among the diverse resident communities. This cultural exchange has given rise to well-known restaurants and maquis (informal eateries) that specialise in traditional Ivorian dishes. Some of these meals have also made their way onto the menus …
In a village in the Filinygué department, north-west of Niamey, Niger a subtle yet significant change is occurring in agricultural and social practices. Hamadou Hamidou, a young farmer from Falwel, describes the profound transformation that has taken place in his life since he adopted the improved Hayni Kirey Précoce (HKP) seed variety. His story illustrates …
While we often talk about people leaving for Canada, the United States or Europe, we tend to forget that many countries in West Africa, and indeed across the continent, also rely on the expertise of their citizens. In some countries in the region, these workers are highly valued and make a significant contribution to various …
It is a well-known fact that migration has never been a tradition among the Chadian people. Despite numerous wars and harsh living conditions, they have traditionally chosen to stay in their homeland. Some analysts attribute this to a ‘lack of appetite for adventure’ among Chadians. However, in recent years, significant numbers of young people have …
At a panel discussion organised by the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire (IFAN) on migration dynamics between West African countries, Professor Ibrahima Kane examined Senegal’s rich migration history, emphasising its tradition of hospitality and permissive legislation that make it a welcoming land. This is a model that is both exemplary and subject to the challenges of …
Amath Sarr, one of the initiators and a founding member of the Visas for All platform, which advocates for visa reciprocity and a member of the Migration Development Network (Remidev), shares his views on the platform’s achievements and future prospects, as well as broader migration policy issues in Senegal. Why was the Visa for All …
On 2 June 2025, the schoolyard at Lycée Félix Éboué in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, was overcrowded. Amid anxious faces and last-minute revision, an accent from across the border could be heard. Once again this year, thousands of young Cameroonians had travelled to Chad to take their Baccalaureate exams, the equivalent of the British …
Today, feeling “at home” is no longer a certainty. For thousands of young Africans, this sense of belonging is tested by a system of borders: geographical, administrative, economic, that shapes their future. In a world where travel is a right for some and an unattainable dream for others, how do we define the idea of …
West Africa, particularly Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, has long experienced significant cross-border and internal mobility. While migration often provides economic opportunities, current trends in the region are increasingly associated with insecurity, terrorist threats, and mounting humanitarian and political challenges. The most recent data paint a sobering picture. In April 2025, the International Organization for …
As the security crisis in the Sahel gradually spreads southward, thousands of people have been forced to flee their villages in the Savanes region of northern Togo. These internally displaced persons (IDPs), often invisible in public discourse, live in precarious conditions, hosted by communities that are already vulnerable. A new report validated in the course …