In Benin, malnutrition and misinformed views contribute to widespread stunting in children In Benin, stunting affects a third of children under 5 due to malnutrition, despite abundant resources The Independent UK · Aug 21
Beninese-French singer Angélique Kidjo makes history as first Black African to get Hollywood Walk of Fame star “By becoming the first African artist to receive this global honour, the Beninese icon has etched her name into history and raised the rhythms, creativity and dignity of our entire nation to the highest level," said Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni. Euronews · Aug 19
Hollywood honours Angelique Kidjo as first Black African Walk of Fame star Five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo became the first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, marking a milestone for African music. The Beninese-French singer was honored at a ceremony in Los Angeles attended by film stars and leading figures from the music industry. France 24 · Aug 18
Nigeria’s border closure failed to stop smuggling. Here’s why Border closures don’t always produce the intended objectives. The idea is usually to control illegal movements and prohibited goods, lessen informal trade, reinforce customs operations, and regain control of national borders. But history shows that in cases as diverse as England, the Asante Kingdom, the US and colonial Nigeria/Benin, stiffer… The Conversation · Aug 12
Ex-Benin president Talon makes political comeback via newly founded Senate Benin’s newly created Senate elected former president Patrice Talon as its leader on Thursday in Porto-Novo, less than three months after he left office. He will serve a five-year term at the head of the country’s new second chamber of Parliament. Radio France Internationale · Aug 7
Benin’s new Senate raises questions over power and legitimacy Benin’s new senate was inaugurated in Porto-Novo last week, creating a second chamber of parliament with powers to review legislation, protect constitutional rules and discipline political figures. Radio France Internationale · Aug 3
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye rushed to hospital after court collapse In tonight's edition: Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye is in hospital after collapsing in court, raising fresh concerns over the treatment of political opponents. Ghana proposes sweeping constitutional reforms that could reshape its political landscape. Meanwhile, Benin steps up its campaign to recover looted cultural treasures and colonial archives from… France 24 · Jul 31
Masked performers fill Porto-Novo streets in Benin festival Thousands gather in Porto-Novo for Benin's Mask Festival, celebrating ancestral traditions with colourful costumes, dances and masks. Euronews · Jul 27
Gagan Gupta, man on a mission to industrialise Africa Gagan Gupta is industrializing Africa through his Arise holding company. He focuses on processing local resources and creating skilled jobs. Benin is entering the textile industry, exporting garments to international brands. Arise IIP has secured significant investment and is expanding its operations. Gupta believes Africa's industrial transformation is just beginning. The Economic Times · Jul 10
Hunger in northern Nigeria reaches worst levels in nearly a decade, WFP says More than 17 million people across nine conflict-hit states in northern Nigeria face severe hunger, the UN's food agency (WFP) has said, warning that violence and funding cuts are driving food insecurity to its worst level in nearly a decade. Stripped of their livelihoods, some people are fleeing across the… Radio France Internationale · Jul 5
Severe flooding leaves a trail of death and destruction in West Africa Severe floods have hit Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Nigeria this week. At least 13 people have been killed in recent days in Ghana and five in Togo, while 59 have died in Côte d’Ivoire since the rainy season began in mid-May. Radio France Internationale · Jul 3
Côte d’Ivoire floods kill 59 as west Africa endures torrential rains Authorities say rainy season getting deadlier, with Ghana reporting 13 dead and floods hitting Benin, Togo and Nigeria The Guardian - UK · Jul 2
Switzerland returns 18 looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria Three Swiss museums have returned 18 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, a new step in the African's country decades-long struggle to repatriate its looted cultural heritage. Euronews · Jun 30
Africa's finest: Bafana Bafana return to the World Cup chasing a first knockout stage South Africa enter the first 48-team World Cup as Africa's 11th-ranked side in the Fifa standings. In the first instalment of a nine-part series on African squads at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, RFI looks at a nation making its fourth appearance at the finals. Radio France Internationale · Jun 1
Radio France Internationale · May 25 Wadagni wastes no time forming new Benin government after landslide win After winning Benin’s presidential election by a landslide, Romuald Wadagni unveiled a new, 24-member government just hours after his inauguration on Sunday.
The Conversation · Apr 28 Benin election: Wadagni’s landslide win raises questions about his legitimacy Romuald Wadagni won the 2026 presidential election in Benin with over 94% of the vote. Wadagni, 50, is a technocrat who became an influential finance minister under Patrice Talon from 2016 until his election.
The Independent UK · Apr 16 Activist Kemi Seba arrested in South Africa, faces extradition to Benin Pan-African and pro-Russian activist Kemi Seba has been arrested in South Africa
Radio France Internationale · Apr 15 French lawmakers green light bill to facilitate return of looted artefacts France’s lower house has overwhelmingly approved a bill to ease the return of artworks and artefacts looted during the colonial era, paving the way to address restitution requests from countries including Mali, Algeria and Benin.
The Guardian - UK · Apr 14 ‘Without them there is no life’: the race to understand the mysterious world of Africa’s fungi Amid growing evidence of fungi’s key role in ecosystems and storing carbon, African scientists are championing the need to preserve ‘funga’ as much as flora and fauna
Radio France Internationale · Apr 13 Presidential favourite Wadagni elected in Benin with over 94 percent of votes Benin presidential election favourite Romuald Wadagni swept to victory in the country's polls, according to provisional results, securing at least 94 percent of votes.
Radio France Internationale · Apr 12 Benin votes for new president amid 'severe restrictions' on civil liberties Benin's election this Sunday will decide who takes over from President Patrice Talon after a decade in power. With only two candidates running and authorities clamping down on critics, the prospects for change are limited.
The Guardian - UK · Apr 12 Benin holds presidential election four months after failed coup As president Patrice Talon steps down after a decade, the west African country’s finance minister is favourite to win
The Conversation · Apr 10 How reforms under Patrice Talon have reshaped the electoral competition in Benin Benin voters will head to the polls on April 12, 2026 to elect their next president. This election comes at a time when Benin’s political landscape has been profoundly transformed by reforms to the party system and the electoral code. They have created new power balances and deliberately tightened the…
Euronews · Apr 7 Berlin Humboldt Forum to return Benin bronze sculptures to Africa The Berlin Humboldt Forum opens fully to the public this week with a very modern take on the display of cultural items from around the world and a debate on whether some of them should be returned to their homelands.
Radio France Internationale · Mar 20 Why the Sahel is now the world’s deadliest region for terrorism The Sahel has become the world’s most deadly region for terrorism, with nearly half of all global deaths now taking place there. This marks a long-term shift away from the Middle East and North Africa, recent data shows.