The African Tribune

On August 2, 2026, Burkina Faso’s delegation arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan, to compete in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) 2026. This elite global contest brings together top young talent in AI from across the world. Following rigorous national selections and intensive training in machine learning, two young innovators from Burkina Faso—Pascaline Lompo and Madina Toé—will represent their nation. They are led by Team Leader Ariel Shadrac Ouédraogo. This high-stakes competition gives the Burkina Faso team a chance to test their skills against peers from every continent, while showcasing the nation’s growing strength in artificial intelligence. More than just a contest, the IOAI serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among studen...

The recent transition to a fifth Republic in Lomé, though hailed by officials as a milestone, has done little to alleviate the deepening economic and social crisis gripping Togo. Despite the fanfare surrounding institutional reforms and infrastructure upgrades, the harsh reality on the ground tells a different story—one marked by financial instability and widespread hardship. For decades, the country has relied heavily on financial infusions from regional development banks and international donors to fuel its economic ambitions. Yet, the promised returns on these massive investments have failed to materialize, leaving the local economy in a state of stagnation. While the port of Lomé is often showcased as a symbol of progress, the tangible benefits for ordinary citizens—such as job creati...

Diplomatic exchanges between Mauritania and Morocco have intensified in recent weeks, with high-level talks in Dakar reigniting long-standing sensitivities over the Western Sahara issue. The meetings, held on the sidelines of a regional forum, brought together key officials from both nations to address shared concerns and strategic interests. Diplomatic momentum in the Sahel The discussions in Dakar highlighted the renewed engagement of Mauritania and Morocco in West African diplomacy, particularly as regional stability remains a priority. Officials from both countries emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing security challenges and economic opportunities across the Sahara and beyond. Key takeaways from the talks The meetings underscored several critical points of alignment...

Plastic pollution: a growing challenge in N’Djamena Every day, plastic bags, bottles, and packaging pile up across the streets, gutters, and wastelands of N’Djamena. While these materials provide convenience for consumers, they have become one of the capital’s most pressing environmental concerns. Recent observations indicate that N’Djamena alone generates approximately 20,000 tons of plastic waste annually, with the average resident discarding four to five plastic items daily. Despite this staggering volume, only a fraction of these plastics is collected, and an even smaller portion is recycled. This gap highlights a critical question: why has plastic recycling struggled to gain momentum in Chad? The primary hurdle lies in the absence of an organized system for selective waste collectio...