Prépublications

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems across Africa offers transformative potential for sustainable development, yet it also raises profound governance challenges. Data governance the rules governing data collection, storage, sharing, and use and AI governance the principles and mechanisms ensuring AI systems are fair, accountable, transparent, and ethical remain largely disconnected in policy and practice. This study examines how Niger and Ghana can align data and AI governance frameworks to foster responsible digital transformation. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of 35 policy documents, 12 legal instruments (data protection acts, cybersecurity laws, AI strategies), and 26 semi-structured interviews with policymakers, technology regulators, civil society advocates, and private sector actors, the research identifies governance gaps, ethical tensions, and alignment opportunities. Results indicate that Ghana has made significant progress with its Data Protection Act (2012), Cybersecurity Act (2020), and a nascent National AI Strategy, but faces challenges in coordination, enforcement, and public trust. Niger, with a more recent and less developed digital governance framework, risks regulatory fragmentation but has the opportunity to build an integrated governance architecture from an earlier stage. Both countries struggle with limited technical capacity, infrastructure deficits, and the dominance of foreign AI platforms that operate outside local accountability mechanisms. The study proposes a convergent governance framework that aligns data governance and AI governance across four dimensions: (1) legal coherence (harmonizing data protection and AI-specific rules); (2) institutional coordination (creating cross-sectoral oversight bodies); (3) ethical harmonization (applying common principles of fairness, accountability, transparency, and explainability); and (4) participatory…

Mental health conditions constitute a growing public health challenge in West Africa, where access to quality mental health services remains limited due to inadequate funding, shortages of trained personnel, weak policy implementation, and the continued concentration of services in urban psychiatric facilities. This study comparatively examines the integration of mental health services into community primary healthcare systems in Burkina Faso and Ghana, with particular attention to the implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.4 on mental health and well-being. The study adopts a comparative case study approach based on the analysis of peer-reviewed literature, national policy documents, WHO mental health profiles, and recent empirical studies on adolescent and adult mental health service delivery in both countries. The analysis focuses on four key dimensions: policy and legislative frameworks, human resources and workforce training, service availability and utilization, and mental health financing. Findings indicate that Ghana has made comparatively greater progress through the enactment of the Mental Health Act 2012 (Act 846) and the expansion of community-based mental health initiatives. However, significant implementation gaps continue to undermine service accessibility and quality. In contrast, Burkina Faso experiences more profound structural challenges, including limited policy infrastructure, severe shortages of mental health professionals, inadequate financing, and heavy reliance on traditional and informal care systems. In both countries, less than one-third of primary healthcare facilities provide basic mental health services, while utilization rates among adolescents and adults remain critically low, particularly in rural communities. The study further reveals that legislative reforms alone are insufficient…

Packaged drinking water in plastic sachets has become a common source of hydration in Cameroon, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where access to safe drinking water is limited. However, the microbiological quality of these products remains uncertain. This study evaluated the prevalence of total and fecal coliforms in sachet drinking water sold across the ten regions of Cameroon and analyzed regional variations in contamination levels. A total of 520 sachet water samples from 28 manufacturing companies were collected from regional capitals and analyzed using membrane filtration on Violet Red Bile Lactose Agar (VRBLA) incubated at 37°C for total coliforms and 44°C for fecal coliforms. Results revealed that 305 samples (58.65%) were contaminated with coliforms. Total coliforms were detected in 282 samples (59%), while fecal coliforms were detected in 200 samples (41%). The North and Far North regions had the highest contamination rates (20.74% each), followed by the Center (14.94%), South-West (12.66%), Littoral and North-West (10.37% each), West (5.81%), East (2.07%), Adamaoua (1.24%), and South (1.04%). Coliform counts in positive samples ranged from <200 CFU/100 ml in 10 companies (35.71%) to >200 CFU/100 ml in 10 companies (35.71%), exceeding the detection threshold. The study concludes that sachet drinking water in Cameroon is frequently contaminated with coliforms, indicating poor microbiological quality and potential health risks. Regional disparities in contamination levels highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

Domestic resource mobilization through taxation is central to financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in low- and middle-income countries. Yet tax systems in Niger and Ghana face persistent challenges: narrow tax bases, high informality, aggressive tax avoidance by multinational corporations, weak enforcement capacity, and low taxpayer morale. This study examines how ethical principles (fairness, transparency, reciprocity), cultural realities (informal economies, religious norms of zakat in Niger; communalism and social contracts in Ghana), and international SDG commitments interact to shape tax policy and compliance. Drawing on 42 semi-structured interviews with tax officials, policymakers, business representatives, and citizens, combined with an analysis of tax laws, revenue data, and audit reports from 2010 to 2024, the research identifies divergent approaches to tax ethics, enforcement, and reform in the two countries. Results reveal that Ghana has made greater progress in tax administration modernization (digitalization, revenue authority autonomy, large taxpayer offices) and in transparency through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). However, perceptions of unfairness in VAT exemptions and transfer pricing enforcement remain high. Niger, despite recent mining sector reforms, continues to struggle with extremely low tax-to-GDP ratios (under 15%), widespread informality (over 80% of employment), and corruption in tax collection. Both countries face the ethical dilemma of taxing extractive industries fairly while remaining competitive for foreign investment. Islamic zakat in Niger and communal solidarity norms in Ghana offer culturally embedded resources for tax morale, yet these are rarely integrated into formal tax administration. The study proposes a culturally intelligent, ethically grounded, and SDG-aligned tax…

Rehabilitation medicine aims to restore function and maximize quality of life for individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions resulting from stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, and neurodegenerative diseases. Over the past four decades, biomedical engineering has transformed rehabilitation from a primarily therapeutic, labor-intensive discipline into a technology-driven field integrating advanced diagnostics, assistive devices, neuroprosthetics, and data-driven outcome measurement. This article provides a comprehensive review of biomedical engineering contributions across four major domains: (1) neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interfaces for restoring motor and communication function; (2) robotic exoskeletons and powered orthoses for gait rehabilitation and upper extremity assistance; (3) advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering for musculoskeletal repair and neural regeneration; and (4) sensor-based outcome measures and telerehabilitation systems for personalized, remote monitoring. Using a systematic literature synthesis (n=187 peer-reviewed studies, 2010-2025) and comparative analysis of clinical trial data, we quantify functional gains achieved with biomedical engineering interventions relative to conventional therapy. Meta-analytic findings indicate that biomedical engineering-assisted rehabilitation improves upper extremity motor recovery (standardized mean difference SMD=0.72, 95% CI 0.58-0.86), gait velocity (SMD=0.61, 95% CI 0.48-0.74), and activities of daily living independence (SMD=0.54, 95% CI 0.41-0.67) compared to usual care. However, substantial barriers to translation persist, including high device costs (exoskeletons $70,000-$120,000), limited insurance reimbursement, inadequate clinician training, and lack of interoperability among systems. We propose a tiered adoption model stratifying interventions by clinical setting: high-intensity biomedical engineering for acute inpatient neurorehabilitation, mid-tier open-source and low-cost devices for community outpatient settings, and minimalist sensor-based telerehabilitation for home monitoring. The…

International commercial arbitration has become the default dispute resolution mechanism for cross-border transactions. However, a persistent critique is that arbitration remains rooted in Western legal traditions, procedural norms, and ethical benchmarks that may not adequately account for the cultural and legal realities of non-Western parties. This study examines how arbitral institutions and practitioners in Niger (a Francophone civil law jurisdiction with strong Islamic influences) and Ghana (an Anglophone common law jurisdiction) navigate the tension between universal procedural standards (e.g., due process, impartiality, confidentiality) and culturally specific expectations of fairness, including oral tradition, consensual decision-making, religious ethics, and relational justice. Drawing on 36 semi-structured interviews with arbitrators, legal counsel, and arbitral institution officials, combined with an analysis of 45 arbitral awards and procedural orders, the research identifies divergent approaches to arbitrator selection, evidentiary procedures, witness examination, and settlement practices. Results reveal that Ghanaian arbitration exhibits a hybrid common law-customary model, incorporating elements of cross-examination and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) influenced by traditional chieftaincy processes. Nigerien arbitration, while formally following OHADA uniform arbitration law, shows significant influence of Islamic conciliation (sulh) and a preference for written proceedings over oral testimony. Ethical challenges include concerns about arbitrator impartiality in small legal communities, enforcement of awards against state-owned entities, and the exclusion of non-Western legal reasoning from arbitral reasoning. The study proposes a culturally intelligent arbitration framework that respects local legal cultures while maintaining core ethical standards of fairness.

This article proposes an integrated model for improving recruitment effectiveness in intergovernmental organizations, drawing on empirical findings from the Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA). The research identifies critical gaps between formal recruitment procedures and implementation practices, including inadequate internal communication, non-systematic internal prospecting, limited stakeholder participation, and inconsistent onboarding procedures. Building on theoretical frameworks from Peretti (2013), Cohen-Heagel (2010), and Gavand (2005), the study develops a seven-stage integrated recruitment model incorporating strategic needs identification, clear position profiling, transparent announcement, rigorous pre-selection, structured selection, decision and contracting, and comprehensive onboarding. The model emphasizes stakeholder participation, transparency, and systematic integration procedures. The article also proposes corrective activities including creating a coordinating HR unit, strengthening recruiter training, integrating annual HR audits, developing an integrated digital HR platform, and implementing recruitment monitoring dashboards. The integrated model addresses identified weaknesses while building on ASECNA's existing strengths, including budgeted positions, job descriptions, internal mobility possibilities, and online vacancy dissemination. The research contributes to the literature on recruitment in public sector and intergovernmental contexts by providing a practical, evidence-based framework for improving recruitment effectiveness and equity in multinational organizations.

Conflict-affected populations face profound health challenges that extend beyond physical injuries to encompass psychological trauma, social disruption, and spiritual suffering. This article examines the concept of Medicine of Peace as a holistic health approach for conflict-affected populations, drawing on the framework developed by the Cercle de Réflexion des Nations. The research analyzes the key components of the Medicine of Peace framework—including the recognition of collective trauma, the integration of diverse medical traditions, the emphasis on psychological healing, the role of compassion and love, and the institutional mechanisms for implementation. The study reveals that Medicine of Peace offers a comprehensive approach that addresses the multiple dimensions of health in conflict settings, recognizing that healing individuals and communities is essential for peacebuilding. The framework challenges the compartmentalization of modern medicine, the neglect of psychological and spiritual dimensions of health, and the separation of health interventions from peacebuilding. The article argues that Medicine of Peace provides a valuable conceptual framework for humanitarian health interventions in conflict settings, offering a more holistic and integrated approach than current models. The findings contribute to the growing literature on health and peacebuilding and offer practical implications for humanitarian actors, health practitioners, and policymakers working in conflict-affected contexts.

This article proposes an integrated model for sustainable scale-up of the First 1,000 Days approach in fragile contexts, drawing on empirical findings from Niger's Tillabéry region and theoretical frameworks from implementation science, adaptive governance, and systems thinking. The research employed a mixed-methods design combining quantitative surveys with 306 mothers of children under two and qualitative interviews with 18 health workers and community health agents in urban (Tillabéry) and rural (Sansané Haoussa) contexts. The findings reveal critical implementation gaps: 93.5% of mothers have never heard of the approach, 54.9% cite lack of money as the primary barrier to adequate child feeding, and health workers report insufficient funding (100%), staff shortages (83.3%), and transport difficulties (93.8%). The integrated model addresses these challenges through seven strategic pillars: (1) institutional capacity strengthening, (2) sustainable financing mechanisms, (3) human resource development, (4) community engagement and empowerment, (5) digital health and monitoring systems, (6) adaptive governance and multisectoral coordination, and (7) resilience building in fragile contexts. The model emphasizes the interaction between institutional, community, and systemic factors while recognizing the specific challenges of fragile Sahelian environments. The article proposes an operational scale-up project (PREM-1000J) for the Tillabéry region, outlining objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and implementation phases. The project aims to strengthen sustainable implementation of the First 1,000 Days approach through capacity building, community mobilization, logistical strengthening, digital monitoring, and sustainable financing. The findings contribute to the literature on nutrition intervention scale-up in fragile contexts and provide actionable guidance for policymakers, technical partners, and community actors engaged…

The relationship between emergency response coordination and acute malnutrition reduction is critical for humanitarian policy and practice. This article presents empirical evidence on the impact of emergency response coordination on acute malnutrition reduction in Burkina Faso between June 2025 and June 2026. Drawing on a mixed-methods study of 400 participants across national, regional, district, and community levels, the research assesses the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms in improving nutritional outcomes. The findings reveal that while coordination mechanisms have contributed to improved response coverage and efficiency, significant gaps persist in coordination effectiveness. Effective coordination is associated with better coverage of interventions, reduced duplication, and improved timeliness of response. However, coordination faces significant challenges, including insufficient information sharing, fragmented planning, weak leadership, limited community engagement, and security constraints. The study identifies key factors associated with coordination effectiveness: leadership commitment, institutional capacity, resource availability, community engagement, and security conditions. The article argues that strengthening coordination requires investments in information systems, joint planning, leadership development, and community engagement, within a supportive policy and institutional environment. The findings have implications for humanitarian policy and practice in Burkina Faso and similar contexts.

Customer loyalty has become a strategic priority for companies in the banking sector, where intense competition, changing customer expectations, and digital disruption require effective customer retention strategies. This article examines the determinants of customer loyalty in the banking sector of Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa, based on an empirical study conducted among 223 banking customers across three cities (Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Koudougou). The study employed a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire administered to customers of fifteen banks operating in Burkina Faso. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and chi-square tests. The findings reveal that price/interest rate (41.7%), service quality (22%), and bank representativeness on national territory (21.5%) are the main determinants of bank choice. Customer satisfaction levels indicate that 67.7% of respondents are somewhat satisfied and 12.6% are completely satisfied, with only complete satisfaction being loyalty-generating. Customer recommendations show that 60.1% of respondents recommend their bank to others. The study identifies key loyalty determinants including staff attitudes and behavior, reception environment, and price/interest rates. The research confirms two main hypotheses: (1) customer quality determination in a bank depends on bank choice criteria, permanence or change of bank, and recommendation possibility; (2) customer loyalty conditions are multifactorial including staff behavior, reception environment, and price variables. The article proposes a customer management framework for bank loyalty based on price/interest rates, reception environment, representativeness, service quality, and customer listening. Recommendations include reducing waiting times, training staff in customer reception techniques, improving ATM availability, and increasing transparency on fees.

The performance of health information systems (HIS) depends on multiple interconnected factors that determine their capacity to produce reliable, available, and effectively used data for decision-making. This article analyzes the factors influencing HIS performance in urban healthcare facilities in Cameroon using the PRISM (Performance of Routine Information System Management) framework. The analysis draws on a literature review conducted as part of a doctoral research study evaluating the effectiveness of HIS in improving healthcare service quality in Douala, Cameroon. Key factors are categorized into three domains: technical (hardware and equipment, software and tools, data collection tools, connectivity), organizational (leadership, governance, supervision, coordination, resource allocation), and behavioral (knowledge and skills, motivation, attitudes, confidence). Technical factors affecting HIS performance include insufficient computer equipment, poor internet connectivity, unreliable electricity supply, and inadequate equipment maintenance. Organizational challenges encompass weak leadership commitment, inadequate governance mechanisms, insufficient supervision, poor stakeholder coordination, and limited resource allocation. Behavioral factors include limited knowledge and skills among health workers, low motivation, negative attitudes toward data use, and lack of confidence in HIS. The article proposes a comprehensive framework for strengthening HIS performance through integrated interventions addressing technical, organizational, and behavioral dimensions. Successful HIS strengthening requires strong leadership, sustained political commitment, adequate resource allocation, capacity building, quality assurance mechanisms, supervision, stakeholder coordination, and a culture of data utilization.

Packaged drinking water in plastic sachets has become a common source of hydration in Cameroon, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where access to safe drinking water is limited. However, the microbiological quality of these products remains uncertain. This study evaluated the prevalence of total and fecal coliforms in sachet drinking water sold across the ten regions of Cameroon and analyzed regional variations in contamination levels. A total of 520 sachet water samples from 28 manufacturing companies were collected from regional capitals and analyzed using membrane filtration on Violet Red Bile Lactose Agar (VRBLA) incubated at 37°C for total coliforms and 44°C for fecal coliforms. Results revealed that 305 samples (58.65%) were contaminated with coliforms. Total coliforms were detected in 282 samples (59%), while fecal coliforms were detected in 200 samples (41%). The North and Far North regions had the highest contamination rates (20.74% each), followed by the Center (14.94%), South-West (12.66%), Littoral and North-West (10.37% each), West (5.81%), East (2.07%), Adamaoua (1.24%), and South (1.04%). Coliform counts in positive samples ranged from <200 CFU/100 ml in 10 companies (35.71%) to >200 CFU/100 ml in 10 companies (35.71%), exceeding the detection threshold. The study concludes that sachet drinking water in Cameroon is frequently contaminated with coliforms, indicating poor microbiological quality and potential health risks. Regional disparities in contamination levels highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

The Integrative Self-Healing, Resilience and Self-Actualization Model (MIAGRA) is a structured self-guided therapeutic framework that integrates meditation, reflective reading, expressive writing, and creative activities to support emotional healing, psychological resilience, and self-actualization. Designed as a complementary, culturally adaptable, and low-cost intervention, it can be applied in clinical, community, educational, humanitarian, and digital settings. This article presents the theoretical foundations of the model, its conceptual structure, contexts of application, limitations, and research perspectives.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been experiencing a multifaceted crisis characterized by growing insecurity, economic tensions, and profound social challenges. This security crisis has had severe impacts on business operations, with more than 20 percent of enterprises closing in high-risk zones, a 2.5 percent decline in GDP in 2022, and inflation reaching 7.8 percent. This article examines the impact of operational experience in crisis zones on organizational resilience, drawing on the case of Tarwendé Business International (TBI), a major private sector actor in Burkina Faso. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including documentary review, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and direct observation. The analysis reveals that operational experience in security crisis contexts contributes to organizational resilience through several mechanisms: development of situational awareness, accumulation of crisis management knowledge, establishment of adaptive routines, and strengthening of risk anticipation capabilities. The article concludes that prior experience in crisis zones is a valuable asset for building organizational resilience, but that experience alone is insufficient without systematic learning processes and organizational support.

In security crisis contexts, no single enterprise can navigate the challenges alone. Collaboration with other enterprises, government agencies, financial institutions, and international partners is essential for maintaining business continuity and building organizational resilience. This article analyzes the effect of inter-firm collaborations and stakeholder engagement on organizational resilience, drawing on the case of Tarwendé Business International (TBI) in Burkina Faso. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including documentary review, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and direct observation. The analysis reveals that TBI's collaborative strategy includes: partnerships with the state (subsidies and tax relief); partnerships with banks and financial institutions (increased credit lines); partnerships with international suppliers (supply chain security); and partnerships with security forces (staff and asset protection). The article concludes that inter-firm collaborations and stakeholder engagement significantly increase organizational resilience in security crisis contexts, and that effective collaboration requires trust, mutual benefit, clear communication, and formal agreements.

The mobilization of innovative financing mechanisms for climate action is essential for achieving sustainable development in the Congo Basin. Yet, significant constraints limit the deployment of these mechanisms, including financial, technical, institutional, and political barriers. This article addresses the fourth specific objective of a broader HDR research project: to determine the impact of the development of flexible financing plans and bankable projects on the mobilization of innovative climate finance for the Congo Basin. Drawing on resilience theory, sustainable finance frameworks, risk management theory, and economic incentives theory, the research examines the conditions under which innovative financing mechanisms can effectively mobilize resources for climate action. The analysis reveals that the development of flexible financing plans and bankable projects is not a significant constraint for the mobilization of innovative climate finance when enabling conditions are in place. Key enabling conditions include: stable regulatory frameworks, strong institutional capacity, effective risk mitigation instruments, and alignment of incentives across actors. The article concludes that overcoming the constraints to innovative climate finance requires a comprehensive approach that addresses financial, technical, institutional, and political barriers simultaneously.

The scientific validation of medicinal plants is essential for their safe and effective integration into healthcare systems. This article presents the methodological framework for the preclinical validation of Sida rhombifolia L. (Malvaceae) for antidiarrheal use in Gabon. The research comprises four complementary components: an ethnopharmacological survey to document traditional uses; phytochemical analysis to identify bioactive compounds; biological activity testing to assess antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities; and toxicity assessment to evaluate safety. The expected outcomes include a comprehensive profile of the plant's traditional uses, phytochemical composition, biological activities, and safety margin. The article discusses the ethical considerations, including informed consent, authorization from relevant authorities, respect for traditional knowledge, and animal welfare standards. The methodological framework is designed to generate robust, reproducible evidence that can support the development of a standardized phytomedicine for the complementary treatment of diarrhea in Gabon.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet screening and treatment are not routinely provided in many low-income countries, including Cameroon. This article synthesizes the evidence on the maternal and neonatal consequences of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnancy and discusses the clinical implications for antenatal care in Cameroon. Drawing on the study findings from the Mifi District Hospital in Bafoussam, which reported a seroprevalence of 54.3 percent, the article reviews the literature on the obstetrical complications (preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum endometritis), neonatal complications (ophthalmia neonatorum, chlamydial pneumonia), and long-term consequences of untreated infection. The analysis reveals that Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of preterm birth (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5-3.5), premature rupture of membranes (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.4), and postpartum endometritis (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4-4.2). Neonatal complications occur in 30-50 percent of exposed infants, with ophthalmia neonatorum presenting at 5-14 days of life and chlamydial pneumonia at 2-19 weeks. The article concludes that routine antenatal screening for Chlamydia trachomatis is essential for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes and that treatment with azithromycin is safe and effective during pregnancy. Policy recommendations for Cameroon are provided.

Despite the proven effectiveness of primary prevention interventions, their implementation in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries often falls short of expected outcomes. This article addresses the third specific objective of a broader HDR research project: to determine the approaches that have been implemented to optimize the effectiveness of primary prevention interventions in rural areas of Cameroon, with particular attention to the Mbalmayo health district. Drawing on the Socio-Ecological Model (Bronfenbrenner, 1979; McLeroy et al., 1988), the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (Rogers, 1962, 2003), and the RE-AIM Framework (Glasgow, Vogt, & Boles, 1999), the research synthesizes the literature on effective implementation strategies for primary prevention in rural African contexts. The analysis reveals that effective approaches operate at multiple levels: individual (tailored education, behavior change communication), interpersonal (peer education, family engagement), community (community mobilization, participatory planning, engagement of traditional leaders), organizational (health system strengthening, integration into routine services), and policy (intersectoral action, resource allocation). The RE-AIM framework is identified as the tool par excellence for evaluating whether interventions reach vulnerable populations, achieve their intended effects, are adopted by implementing organizations, are implemented with fidelity, and are maintained over time. The article concludes that optimizing the effectiveness of primary prevention interventions in rural Cameroon requires a multi-level, participatory, and contextually adapted approach.