Across Africa: Recent Episodes
FRANCE 24 English
A week of political and social events across the African continent: exclusive reports and analysis. Every Thursday at 5.45 pm Paris time.
Africa’s sporting elite have been showcasing their prowess at The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. But sport is about more than performance and can have a huge social impact. For the first Across Africa after the summer break, Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Remy Rioux, head of France’s Development Agency (AFD), about how big league investment in sport can help kick Africa's transformation up a notch.
In an interview with FRANCE 24 in Geneva, the head of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, speaks to Georja Calvin-Smith about her take on the vital components of Africa's trade and development roadmap.
Since a fragile 2022 peace deal ended Ethiopia's two-year war between Tigrayan fighters and federal forces, there are signs of recovery in the capital of Tigray. Also, Zanzibar commemorates the abolition of slavery. The island was a key stopping-off point for Arab slavers across East Africa for hundreds of years.
Benin encourages members of the African diaspora to call its shores home by offering citizenship to descendants of those who left the continent far in the past. Also, the Olympic flame symbolises the light of spirit, knowledge and life. Oumar Diemé, a Senegalese Olympic torch bearer and a former infantryman, has all of these qualities in abundance. The 90-year-old fought for France during both world wars.
This week, a new law paving the way for the introduction of universal healthcare in South Africa both excites and divides. Also, ed tech has the potential to close education gaps in DR Congo. One digital learning portal is going down well with kids, but is struggling to attract the investment it needs to scale up.
Northern Nigerian communities who have lost faith in the struggling security forces' ability to protect them are increasingly setting up vigilante groups to battle insurgents themselves. Also, rap is gaining ground in Egypt and although the scene is still overwhelmingly dominated by men, women are increasingly picking up the mic. And Kenya's birds of prey are falling prey to encroaching human activity. Some conservationists fear it may be too late to roll back the damage.
Motorists in Nigeria face huge queues at petrol stations across major cities as frustration grows over the multi-headed crises dragging on the country's economy. Also, known locally as the Mendzang, the xylophone has a small but dedicated following in Cameroon. And we head out on the road with the roaming chef and former Kenyan rugby star, Dennis Ombachi.
We bring you a week of political and social events from across the African continent. This week, Uganda's constitutional court threw out a challenge to the homophobic law adopted last May. Also, Congolese wordsmiths the Tetra collective use slam poetry to explore their deep love of Congolese and French literature. And many women farmers in Senegal struggle to secure access to land in the rural communities where they are sidelined from ownership.
There is increased focus on education at the COP28 climate talks amidst growing acknowledgement of the importance of the sector in responding to the uncertainty and displacement caused by climate change. FRANCE 24's Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Yasmine Sherif, the head of the Education Cannot Wait fund, as she sets out the stakes from the crucial talks in Dubai.
Students are among the victims of Nigeria's rampant inflation, as they face tuition fee hikes of over 300 percent. Also, the clock is ticking down towards DR Congo's general elections, in which President Felix Tshisekedi is running for a second term. Plus, Nairobi hosts international talks on the reduction of plastic pollution.
Benin's forests have long been seen as places of hope for believers of the voodoo religion, but urbanisation threatens the green spaces. Also, Ivory Coast's ghost children are invisible to the state. The number of babies whose births are undeclared are on the rise.
As Africa's cultural heavyweights gather in Lagos for its 13th iconic Fashion Week, we speak to the event's founder about a unique UN study that lines the continent up as a major influence on the future of fashion. Also, the march of progress in Dakar tramples over the Senegalese capital's green spaces in a building boom. And as the numbers of Africa's penguins continue to plummet, scientists are warning that in little over a decade there may not be enough left to survive in the wild.
The conflict between warring factions in Sudan has left thousands dead and millions have been forced to flee. Half a year on since the outbreak of the fighting, the humanitarian situation is worse than ever, with many refugees in Chad on the brink of famine. Also in this edition: what the gradual lifting of the state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri province means for DR Congo. Finally, Kibera Fashion Week celebrates the talents of local designers.
Increasing numbers of would-be Senegalese migrants are heading to Central America in the hopes of making it to the United States. But the journey is often fraught, expensive and uncertain. Also, in Kenya, the rising cost of living has added to the mental health struggles of many who are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. Plus, the rising water levels of Kenya's largest freshwater lake have led to an explosion in the crocodile population that's now threatening communities' lives, limbs and livelihoods.
Every few years, Malagasy communities hold joyful ceremonies where the remains of lost loved ones are exhumed, cared for and introduced to the newest members of the community. Also, although Tunisia was decades ahead of many other countries in giving women the right to choose whether to go ahead with pregnancies, taboos remain. Finally, we meet some hearing-impaired Beninese children thriving in specially adapted classrooms.
Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe is a scientific icon in DR Congo. He's also an inspiration for the next generation of Congolese biologists. Also in this edition of Across Africa, more than 30 percent of harvests are lost to pests and disease. A team of Ghanaian engineers are coming up with new ways to identify risks early. And we see how Gambian rising star Maryama Cham is carving out a path for herself in a music industry largely dominated by men.
There's a special reason to celebrate in Senegal as millions of Mouride pilgrims come together for the Grand Magal. This year also features an exhibition of rare photos of the order's founder. Also, relatives of the 73 Gambian children killed by toxic cough syrups sue Indian drugmaker Maiden Pharmaceuticals. Finally, Beninese students expanding their tech horizons wow judges with their creations.
World Suicide Prevention Day was marked on September 10. Six of the 10 countries in the world with the highest suicide rates are African, with Lesotho the worst affected. Also in this edition: Kenya tackles wastage in the agricultural sector and Rwanda celebrates its latest mountain gorilla births.
This week in Across Africa, Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Namibian President Hage Geingob ahead of his arrival in New York for the UN General Assembly. He shares his perspective on governance, the impact of Africa's first climate change summit and the role of the African Union in responding to regional upheaval.
Podcasts are on the rise in Africa. The huge sector has been dominated by voices from outside of the continent but more African producers are now turning to the mic to tell their stories. Also the European Court of Human Rights finds that South African Olympic champion, Caster Semenya was discriminated against by World Athletics with rules requiring her to artificially lower her testosterone levels. Also one of the worlds top choirs - Ghana's Harmonious Chorale - pops in whilst on tour.
Niger's private sector has stepped up to fertilise failing plans for the Great Green Wall. Also people from Ethiopia's Lalibela help restore some of the iconic rock hewn churches unique to their community. And Malian children from riverside communities take to the waters to head out to a specially built island school.
A quartet of African leaders headed out to Russia and Ukraine on a peace mission aimed at helping resolving the war between the countries that began last February with Russia's invasion of it's neighbour. South Africa's International Relations Minister, Naledi Pandor speaks to Georja Calvin-Smith about the mission's impact and limitations.
In Kenya, some industrial fishing techniques have been banned in a bid to counteract damage suffered by coastal communities that have seen their fish stock plummet. Also as Africa continues to wrangle with the dilemma of how to keep progress on track whilst tackling the climate emergency, we hear from the President of the African Development bank about the choices ahead. And in Uganda efforts to roll back the production of charcoal have been met with resistance.
The movie measures of men spotlights the first genocide of the 20th century in which tens of thousands of indigenous Nama and Herero were slaughtered by german soldiers. The film bids to confront viewers with the harsh realities of colonial violence. Also, in Morocco fans of sand hockey are trying to raise awareness of the game's cultural heft. And a Beninese Tiktok comedian hits the right note. Axel Merryl switches genres from comedy to croonery.
Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by Sudan's conflict. But some civilians have also had to stay in Khartoum as war rages around them, even saying they have no choice but to still head into work. Also, Congolese communities in the country's east say that successes claimed by the East African force sent in to reign in M23 rebels have been overblown. And dozens of Beninese craftsmen brush up on the skills needed to restore the royal palaces of the former kingdom of Dahomey.
Kenyan LGBT campaigners have been fielding a surge in hate speech since a rights group supporting their cause was given the green light to register as an NGO. Also a deal between Uganda and Saudi Arabia to make it easier for African workers to head out to the Middle East has resumed, despite longstanding concerns about the treatment of some domestic staff. Finally, the "We Are Enough" exhibition in Paris unleashes the best of African contemporary creativity.
Over 95% of malaria cases and deaths are in sub-saharan Africa. There's a world wide push to completely wipe out the disease by 2030. Also two years after Palma in northern Mozambique was captured by extremists and energy giant Tota is thinking about returning to a multi billion dollar gas project that was put on hold. And Tik Tok is being sued by Senegalese tech firms.
In Rwanda 29 years after the genocide that cost at least 800,000 lives and the psychological toll on those who lived through the bloodshed, continues to weigh heavily. Also we hear from some of the young visionaries in the Seychelles coming up with ways to keep their traditional ways of life afloat. And Kenya's the first country on the continent to make coding an integral part of the school curriculum.
In Ivory Coast, support workers head out into rural communities to offer more support to families living with autism. Also we unwrap the mystery of Egypt's longest serving pharaoh, Ramses the second, as his sarcophagus makes a stop in Paris on its world tour. And Nigerian kids race to learn traditional Yoruba percussion before the drums fall silent.
In Ivory Coast, support workers head out into rural communities to offer more support to families living with autism. Also we unwrap the mystery of Egypt's longest serving pharaoh, Ramses the second, as his sarcophagus makes a stop in Paris on its world tour. And Nigerian kids race to learn traditional Yoruba percussion before the drums fall silent.
Thousands have been displaced by ongoing clashes between soldiers and M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. Also a new exhibition in Senegal bears witness to the suffering of Gambians during the 22 year rule of former president Yaya Jammeh. And we sample the diversity of Cameroonian cuisine.
Togo's trying to turn the page on putting french writers first. A growing movement is demanding that the country's rich heritage be better reflected in classes with more focus on works by local authours. Also for the first time Paris gets to host the phenomenal work of Senegalese photograher Adama Sylla. His decades of work capture shifting eras in his hometown on Saint Louis
Ahead of Nigeria's elections, voters help electoral authorities test out a new system meant to head off vote rigging. Also, we hear from Hamitraoré, an Ivorian activist trying to hasten FGM's end by bringing discussions about its impact into the open. Finally, Tunisians frustrated by a stagnant economy find new ways of doing business, both above board and on the black market.
In South Africa, as embattled state energy company Eskom's debts pile up, daily blackouts continue to hobble the nation. Also, Rwanda is investing more in a circular economy and is ramping up its waste management projects. And we see how breathtaking Guinean acrobatic troupe Amoukana are working towards creating their own professional circus school.
The recent introduction of new denominations of naira in Nigeria causes a chaotic rush to get the old notes out of circulation by the end of January. Also, Ivory Coast has raised its minimum wage as the country faces a cost-of-living crisis. And Cape Town tourists are warned not to seal their fate as some of the usually docile mammals start attacking humans.
We hear from some of the hundreds of Cameroonian medical students who have headed to Madagascar for their training. Also, videos from a Guinean TikToker based in Senegal have been taking the social media site by storm. Plus, Chanel collaborates with West African embroidery artists to put on a spectacular exhibition of needle craft and creation in Dakar.
In Rutshuru, DR Congo, the International Committee of the Red Cross has set up phone booths to help displaced families track down those left behind in combat zones. Also, a new film is out in France that focuses on the Senegalese tirailleurs, a corps of colonial infantry in the French armies of the First and Second World Wars. Finally, a gallery in Lagos pays tribute to the dozens of Chibok schoolgirls who are still missing, more than eight years on.
Calls grow for the South African President to step down after an independent probe finds grounds for possible impeachment proceedings. We speak to our correspondent in Cape Town. December 1st is World AIDS day. Our team in Kenya have a report on one county where the epidemic is particularly prevalent, and we discuss what more can be done to get a handle on the disease. Also, fighting threatens a fragile ceasefire in eastern DR Congo. Kinshasa accuses M23 rebel soldiers of massacring 50 civilians just days ago.
In this week's climate change edition, we go to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt where the COP27 summit is taking place. With climate change expected to disproportionately affect the African continent, we ask what future lies in store if the goals of today are not met or changed. Countries across the continent are already feeling the heat. Kenya's worst drought in four decades has led to the death of hundreds of animals in the country's nature reserves.
As one of the alleged last masterminds of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda goes on trial in the Hague, survivors of the mass killings speak of their memories of the brutality that Felicien Kabuga is accused of having bankrolled. Also children from across Cameroon's war torn Anglophone regions escape to a bilingual school in the french speaking town on Melong. And woman boxers in Libya hit back at stereotypes. Athletes at one ring in Tripoli say it's time to knock out outdated gender roles.
Africa is racing to adapt to the ravages of climate change, but Senegal's greenlighting of GMO crops has proved controversial. Also, Egypt has a centuries-long tradition of wine making. Wineries are barrelling ahead with plans to add polish and popularity to their products. And we see how Cape Town hosted talent from across the continent and names from around the world for FAME Week.
Relatives of murdered Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba attend a sombre ceremony in Brussels as Belgium returns his tooth. It's all that remains of him after his assassination in 1961. Also, Kenya has no reproductive health legislation but the public is going to have its say on a regional bill that could make a big difference to national sexual health services. And the refugee status of hundreds of thousands of Ivorians who fled post-electoral violence in the country in 2011 is coming to an end.
The top ten most neglected displacement crises in the world are all in Africa. It's a worrying first for the annual report of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Also, "Supreme Remains" is a haunting play that has premiered at the Dakar Biennale, inviting audiences to step back through time as an African mask narrates her turbulent past. And in Liberia, the town of Robertsport is at the heart of a swell surf scene; we take a closer look.
Ivorian cashew processors face an uphill battle. Their bid to expand into processing faces competition from Asia. Also, Mali is sanctioned but Senegal loses out. The economic interdependence between the neighbours has left Senegalese traders struggling to cope with the knock-on effects of penalties imposed on Bamako. And amid months of sometimes deadly protests against an army takeover, young Sudanese have been finding respite in Khartoum's vibrant cultural scene.
South Africa's Khoi community is divided on how to best protect its heritage on a site in Cape Town earmarked to house Amazon's African headquarters. Judges ordered a halt to construction, but some indigenous locals are eager for the jobs that the site could bring. Also, we see how Libyan artisans are working painstakingly around the clock to restore old copies of the Koran.
World Press Freedom Day was a chance to take stock of some of the continent's success stories. The Seychelles is one of the rare African countries where most journalists are women. Elsewhere, the profession still poses life-threatening risks. Also, there are calls for the government in Congo Brazzaville to do more to identify and support those suffering from mental illness. It's a neglected issue across the continent and the fallout can have devastating consequences. And we head to Benin to hear from some of the companies prioritising the environmental and social well-being of their employees and customers over profit.
Rights campaigners in Congo Brazzaville welcome a legal crack down on physical, sexual and economic violence against women, but say that follow-up is crucial. Also, protesters at an auction house in France accuse buyers of trying to purchase stolen goods as a rare 19th-century mask from Gabon goes on sale in Montpellier. And we head to Ghana to meet some of the girls at the heart of a small but passionate skateboarding scene.
We hear from up-and-coming artist Matthew Eguavoen, whose work translates complex, contemporary African experiences into vibrant and challenging portraits. But first, Ethiopian researchers are hoping that a local staple known as false banana could have some real benefits for food security. Enset is little known outside of the country but is nutritious and drought resistant. Also, nine ancient Libyan artefacts have been returned home after having been looted during 21st century conflicts and smuggled out to the US.
Citing safety concerns, Burundi bans rickshaws, commercial motorcycle taxis and bicycle cabs in Bujumbura, the country's biggest city. Drivers say the move will put thousands out of work. Also, Uganda's only licensed cannabis farm grows only for export, as use of its crop remains illegal in the country. But there are calls for more permits to be granted to smaller-scale growers. And we head to a sanctuary where orphaned and injured primates are nursed back to health in eastern DR Congo.
In this edition: Congolese authorities say they'll clamp down on shoddy construction after an accident in Kinshasa in February in which 26 people were killed. Also, a top Nigerian model agency launches a search for the face of a continent. And we head into the deep blue with South African freediving instructor Zandi Ndhlovu.
After 130 years away, 26 stolen artefacts from Benin are finally being displayed at home after having been returned by France. The pieces were looted by French soldiers from the kingdom of Dahomey in 1892 and are now taking pride of place at the presidential palace. Our team on the ground reports.
US-led sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe two decades ago have had far-reaching effects on the country's economy. Some are now calling for a rethink. Also, South Africa has opened a new Covid-19 vaccine plant. The site is the first on the continent to cover the entire process from start to finish. And French filmmaking collective Kourtrajmé heads to Senegal, where it hopes to help students go from dreaming to screenings.
We report on how Burkinabé refugeees who have fled jihadist violence have been trying to start new lives in Ivory Coast. Also, the "people's horse" Kommetdieding streaks to victory at the 2022 Cape Town Met. And Salima Mukansanga, the first woman referee to take charge at the Africa Cup of Nations, speaks to FRANCE 24 about her historic role.
The financial freeze on Mali brought in by regional group ECOWAS has hit its economy hard. Key sectors like the cotton industry have been struggling to overcome the impact of the trade penalties. Also, as the excitement of the Africa Cup of Nations winds down, we head to two-time tournament hosts Gabon, where once-gleaming stadiums have fallen into disrepair. Finally, a Malawian musician finds runaway fame on TikTok at the age of 92.
Kenya's president pays tribute to the late conservationist Richard Leakey, who has died aged 77. Leakey spent his life defending his country's endangered wildlife. Also, we sample the pan-African offerings of award-winning experimental chef Dieuveil Malonga at his Kigali restaurant. And the Great Green Wall struggles to flourish, but dozens of gardens have already sprung up in the Senegalese desert.
Exclusive photos obtained by FRANCE 24 show Russian mercenaries, believed to be of the Wagner group, operating in Mali. Also, Ethiopians in Lalibela marked the Orthodox Christmas under the shadow of conflict. Just months ago, the historic town was occupied by Tigrayan rebels. And Senegal's national dish has gone global. Thieboudienne, made with rice and fish, has been added to UNESCO's cultural heritage list.
Senegal's book industry has been riding high on the wave of Mohamed Mbougar Sarr's Goncourt prize. The 31 year-old sensation is reviving interest in Senegalese writers after he won France's top literary award earlier this month.
FRANCE 24's reporters take us to Khartoum's breadbasket to hear how Sudanese farmers feel about the coup and the protest movement rocking the country.
At COP26, richer countries are told to pull their head out of the sand and deliver on climate change promises. Africa is paying dearly for the environmentally destructive policies of developed nations. Also, Covid-19 has kept the border between DR Congo and the Republic of Congo closed for a year and a half. The impact on trade has left communities struggling. And more than a century after they were looted by French colonisers, dozens of artefacts are finally back home in Benin.
African voices are at the heart of conversations at the COP26 climate summit. Despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions, the continent is on the frontline of changes that threaten the environment and livelihoods. In Mauritius, there are fears all the country's beaches could be gone in just 50 years. Meanwhile, the Rwandan capital Kigali is being transformed into a green city with a pedestrian-only centre and self-service bikes.
Togolese women say they're fending off more sexist cyberbullying than ever before. Also, we report on the female construction workers helping change the landscape of Central African Republic. Finally, Leptis Magna was once one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire, but today the Libyan ruins are on UNESCO's list of at-risk heritage sites.
In northern Senegal, a sea barrier is being thrown up in the hopes of holding back coastal erosion. Also, we meet Richard Odjrado, an emerging star of the African tech world whose company is priming Benin's rise as an entrepreneurial hub. And adventure sports in South Africa are becoming more inclusive as the country's first paragliding wheelchair goes into use.
A top-flight management school in Burkina Faso raises the bar for students by offering creature comforts and a future-focused curriculum. Also, the Annecy international animation festival kicks off in France with an African flavour. And international Afrobeats heavyweight Mr Eazi speaks to Georja Calvin-Smith about the ramping up of the global appetite for sounds from the continent.
Former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo finally makes it back to his hometown after a decade away from the country. Also, vaccination doses are flown in by drone to supply deliveries on demand for out-of-the-way communities in Ghana. And panic grips Senegal's small gay community after a spate of attacks.
In this edition, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, head of the African Development Bank Group, discusses the financing Africa needs to strategise its economic bouncebank from the Covid-19 pandemic.
In tonights edition: Months after the delivery of half a million Astrazeneca vaccines, Ivory Coast is still struggling to get people into vaccination centres after suspicion and unfounded rumours have fuelled fears about getting the jab. And around 150,000 Burundian refugees are staying at camps in Tanzania after fleeing the violent political unrest in their homeland that began in 2015. Dodoma is trying to send them back, but many fear the country remains unsafe. Finally, South African film “My Octopus Teacher” schools its rivals and is named “Best Documentary” at the Oscars.
Chad's president of three decades dies of wounds on the frontlines of a battle with rebels. Idriss Deby had just been re-elected to a sixth term. Also, the Mozambican town of Palma has been retaken by the army but militants remain a threat and locals' flight southwards continues. We bring you an exclusive report. And in a major step forward for the protection of women and children in Gabon, customary marriages are finally recognised by the state, as our team on the ground reports.
South African university bosses say there's little chance that student debt could ever be written off. As the cost of education in the country mounts, so does frustration, as our correspondents report. Also, Scotland's University of Aberdeen will soon return a sculpture to Nigeria. The bronze was part of a haul of thousands of items looted by British forces in 1897. And we meet the Black Mambas, a pioneering all-female American football team from Morocco who are giving it their all on the pitch.
Tunisia has an out of this world day by launching its first satellite, the Challenge One. Our correspondents tell us more about this historic moment. Also a gold rush in eastern Cameroon tarnishes the ecosystem and endangers the country's last bloat of hippos. Several have turned up dead and environmentalists suspect links to badly managed and toxic mining operations. And we see how two Nigerian fashion designers are weaving traditional West African fabrics into spectacular contemporary creations.
Burna Boy's star burns brighter than ever. The Nigerian rapper is ecstatic as he takes home his first Grammy Award. Also, a rare female Malian rapper is using her experience to inspire other women in an industry in which there are very few voices like hers. And tens of thousands of Nigerians who fled to Cameroon to escape Boko Haram insurgents are now hoping they can return home.
As the world marked International Women's Day, Namibia's first lady called for the confrontation of those whose go-to tactic when threatened is to insult, devalue and undermine women. Also, in Libya, several prominent female campaigners and politicians have been murdered or have disappeared. Yet many continue to work tirelessly to bring about change. And we meet Refilwe Ledwaba, South Africa's first Black, female helicopter pilot. Her foundation trains women in aerospace and aviation.
Feelings were still running high in Algeria as thousands marched again to mark the two years since the Hirak rallies that ousted longtime leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power. Also, Kenyans are giving two wheels a spin as more people hop on their bikes in Nairobi. And Kenyan camel breeders cash in on white gold as demand for the animals' milk booms.
Moroccan activists try to penetrate the culture of silence surrounding sexual and domestic abuse in the country. Also, more Togolese farmers look for ways to increase their yields in a sustainable way. And volunteers in Zanzibar save as many injured turtles as they can and nurse them back to health. Then, once a year, they return the animals to the ocean.
Getting official identification papers is an exhausting process in Cameroon. Some applicants have waited for over five years with no results. As a result, some resort to the black market. Also, one sustainability project in Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan gives discarded plastic a second life by turning it into bricks to build schools. And we take a look at the larger-than-life work of a French graffiti artist who has headed to Cape Town to make his mark.
Ivory Coast's latest cinematic offering, “Night of the Kings”, has received rave reviews after its premiere. The film sees an inmate's fate rest on his ability to captivate his audience with stories told until dawn.
Some 40,000 Ethiopians have fled the conflict in their homeland and crossed the border into neighboring Sudan where some have been welcomed into the homes of local families.
Ghana's former president, Jerry Rawlings, leaves behind a complicated political legacy. He died aged 73 having transitioned from being a military dictator to the father of the country's multi-party democracy. Also, Covid-19 restrictions have hit a vital trade artery between DR Congo's Goma and Rwanda's Gisenyi. And we see how motenguene, the traditional music and dance of Central African pygmies, has survived competition from imported sounds.
Following a school shooting in Kumba, in south-western Cameroon, traumatised locals mourn the loss of at least seven young lives. Authorities blame English-speaking separatists for the bloodshed. Also, every year a woman's football tournament is held in one part of Algeria in a bid to bring the community together and highlight the importance of women claiming public space. And in a bid to tackle imported food shortages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, one project in Cotonou is helping people in Benin's capital grow their own in gardens on top of the city's buildings.