Topic: Benin

Obama to unveil plan for helping African farmers

Ahead of the G-8 summit, President Obama will unveil a new public-private partnership with DuPont, Monsanto, and Cargill, and almost 20 companies from Africa, to help farmers build local markets and fight hunger.

African presidents forced to turn back from occupied Mali runway

The presidents of Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia, Niger and Burkina Faso were due to arrive in Mali on Thursday to press for the departure of the junior officers that grabbed power in a coup last week.

Rebranding 'Hotel Rwanda' into tourist destination

Eighteen years after a genocide that killed 800,000, symbolized in the movie 'Hotel Rwanda,' major hotel chains are moving in to take advantage of growing tourist business.

Nigeria closes its borders amid unrest from Islamists, strikers

Nigeria's president met with security chiefs to discuss Islamist group Boko Haram, while Nobel prize winner Wole Soyinka warned his country may be heading toward civil war.

For tiny Burundi, big returns in sending peacekeepers to Somalia

For poorer countries like Burundi, sending soldiers to join a UN or African Union peacekeeping mission offers financial and political benefits, as well as better arms and training.

Harnessing the sun’s power to make water flow

Small farmers in Benin in West Africa are using solar panels to power an innovative drip-irrigation system.

Hostage video: Europeans kidnapped in Nigeria blame Al Qaeda

In a video of two European engineers who were kidnapped in Nigeria, the hostages say their kidnappers are from Al Qaeda, but their home governments have doubts.

Piracy on the rise off West Africa's coast

West Africa has seen a sharp increase in the number of pirate attacks off its coast. The goal is not lucrative ransom payments, but fuel, which sells for a large sum on the black market.

An argument for further dividing Africa

Guest blogger G. Pascal Zachary writes that there are some countries, like Sudan, that could benefit from being split up and other countries that could benefit from being combined into one.

Five little-known vegetables that could help end hunger

Native vegetables such as guar, Dogon shallot, and celosia could play an important role in feeding Africa.

What to watch for as election season sweeps across Africa

There are five countries in East and West Africa slated for elections in the near future. Guest blogger Alex Thurston outlines out the issues at hand in each election.

As Gbabgo seizes Central Bank assets in Ivory Coast, a look at the arcane institution

West Africa's Central Bank – perhaps its most important institution – may also be its least transparent. But in the midst of Ivory Coast's conflict, a tradition of secrecy may be an early casualty.

African Union says diplomatic options remain in Ivory Coast

Despite threats from regional bloc ECOWAS that it would soon use force in Ivory Coast, leaders of the African Union said they will give mediation efforts more time.

Nigerian leadership problems can be traced to society's inequality

Nigerian leadership has a record of failure and the roots can be traced to Nigerian society, where echoes of slavery linger, guest blogger Jeremy Weate argues.

Bastille Day features Paris parade, but no presidential garden party

Bastille Day in France becomes a less lavish affair this year, as the country tries to keep a lid on spending.

Why African cities turn to Ivory Coast boat buses

The inner-city boat buses of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, have caught the eyes of other African cities struggling with their traffic problems.

All-world entertainment for World Cup concert

On the eve of the World Cup, a concert featuring the Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, and South African entertainers took place in Soweto.

Pirates take new territory: West African Gulf of Guinea

Pirates are making headway off the West African coast – the Gulf of Guinea is second only to Somalia in terms of pirate attacks.

How does Simon Mann stack up among Africa's white mercenaries?

Simon Mann, a British mercenary sentenced for a coup plot against Equatorial Guinea, was pardoned on Tuesday. How does he compare with Africa's other 'Dogs of War?'

Are investors missing out on sub-Sahara Africa?

Africa's improvements have created thriving markets. US firms should enter this last great investment frontier.

Uwem Akpan: Oprah's next choice?

Cerebral maybe, but Scrabble's a sport in Senegal

The country produces top contestants in the Francophone World Championships, taking place in the country this week

Heartbreak and the buds of Africa's hope

Uwem Akpan's short stories view bitter facts with the beauty of compassion.

Bono and Geldof: France and others fail to deliver Africa aid

G-8 nations called on to fulfill pledges to fight poverty and AIDS.