Prépublications

Sustainable human capital is essential for achieving inclusive and lasting economic development in Africa. This article analyzes the contribution of research and training to the construction of sustainable and inclusive human capital in Burkina Faso, drawing on the case of AGROSERV Industrie SA. The research employs a qualitative methodology, including documentary review, semi-structured interviews, and direct observation. The analysis reveals that AGROSERV Industrie SA contributes to sustainable human capital development through four mechanisms: creation of skilled employment opportunities; continuous training of employees; support for local producers; and integration of research and innovation into production processes. The article concludes that the integration of research, training, and innovation into enterprise strategy contributes significantly to the development of qualified, adaptable, and sustainable human capital, while also promoting local economic development through job creation, agricultural resource valorization, and reduced import dependence. The AGROSERV model offers lessons for other African enterprises seeking to build sustainable human capital.

The organization of work is a fundamental determinant of institutional efficiency, yet the relationship between administrative procedures and work organization is often overlooked in educational research. This article identifies the consequences of absent administrative procedures on work organization at the CSP Bakaye private school in Niamey, Niger, drawing on a comprehensive diagnostic study that included surveys of staff (N=110), analysis of administrative documents, and observation of work processes over a three-month period. Drawing on organizational behavior theory (Robbins & Judge, 2019; Katz & Kahn, 1978), work design theory (Hackman & Oldham, 1976; Parker, 2014), role theory (Kahn, Wolfe, Quinn, Snoek, & Rosenthal, 1964; Biddle, 1986), coordination theory (Malone & Crowston, 1994; Mintzberg, 1979), communication theory (Shannon & Weaver, 1949; Weick, 1995), and organizational control theory (Ouchi, 1979; Eisenhardt, 1985), the research examines how the lack of formalized procedures affects six key dimensions of work organization. The analysis reveals that the absence of formalized procedures creates significant disruptions across all six dimensions. Task distribution is highly uneven, with 47 percent of staff reporting work overload and 38 percent reporting underload. Role clarity is severely lacking, with 65 percent of staff indicating that their roles and responsibilities are poorly defined. Activity coordination is ineffective, with 58 percent of staff describing the distribution of responsibilities as confusing. Internal communication is fragmented, with 57 percent of essential information reported as incomplete or delayed. Planning is inadequate, with no systematic process for setting goals, allocating resources, or scheduling activities. Monitoring-evaluation mechanisms are absent or ineffective,…

The colonial legacy of linguistic hierarchy continues to shape language practices and attitudes in Francophone Africa, where French remains the language of power, education, and prestige while local languages are often stigmatized as inferior. This article examines how popular theatre in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and Libreville (Gabon) negotiates and subverts these inherited linguistic hierarchies. Adopting a qualitative, interpretivist approach grounded in postcolonial theory and sociolinguistics, the research draws on participant observation, semi-structured interviews with theatre practitioners, and analysis of theatrical performances over a two-year period. The findings reveal that popular theatre in these two cities engages with colonial linguistic hierarchies in three key ways. First, through the creative mixing of languages on stage, practitioners challenge the notion that languages are separate, bounded systems that must be kept apart. Second, through the elevation of local languages and urban sociolects to the status of legitimate stage languages, practitioners contest the hierarchy that places French above all other languages. Third, through metalinguistic commentary within performances, practitioners explicitly critique the devaluation of local languages and advocate for linguistic equality. The article argues that popular theatre is a site of decolonization, not in the sense of rejecting French or returning to an imagined pre-colonial purity, but in the sense of transforming the relationship between French and local languages from one of hierarchy to one of equality. Through their creative practices, popular theatre practitioners are enacting a vision of Francophonie that is plural, egalitarian, and authentically African.

The successful implementation of new educational technologies requires not only technical solutions but also effective management strategies that address the human dimensions of change. This article tests the hypothesis that the transformation of a simple imposed rule (control) into a shared compromise with users (autonomy) would be an effective strategy for the use of optical reader technology in examination management in MINSANTE-approved schools in Bafoussam, Cameroon. Drawing on the theory of joint regulation developed by Jean-Daniel Reynaud (1980), the research examines how the negotiation of rules between management and users can lead to more effective technology implementation. The analysis reveals that joint regulation occurs when rules are not simply imposed from above but are negotiated between managers and users, taking into account the perspectives, concerns, and expertise of both parties. In the context of optical reader technology implementation, joint regulation involves engaging teachers and administrators in the design of implementation processes, allowing for feedback and adaptation, and building consensus around the use of the technology. The article concludes that joint regulation is a more effective strategy than top-down control because it increases user buy-in, allows for local adaptation, builds ownership, and creates a foundation for continuous improvement. The hypothesis is empirically testable through comparative case studies of schools using different implementation approaches.

The successful implementation of new educational technologies requires not only technical solutions but also effective management strategies that address the human dimensions of change. This article tests the hypothesis that the transformation of a simple imposed rule (control) into a shared compromise with users (autonomy) would be an effective strategy for the use of optical reader technology in examination management in MINSANTE-approved schools in Bafoussam, Cameroon. Drawing on the theory of joint regulation developed by Jean-Daniel Reynaud (1980), the research examines how the negotiation of rules between management and users can lead to more effective technology implementation. The analysis reveals that joint regulation occurs when rules are not simply imposed from above but are negotiated between managers and users, taking into account the perspectives, concerns, and expertise of both parties. In the context of optical reader technology implementation, joint regulation involves engaging teachers and administrators in the design of implementation processes, allowing for feedback and adaptation, and building consensus around the use of the technology. The article concludes that joint regulation is a more effective strategy than top-down control because it increases user buy-in, allows for local adaptation, builds ownership, and creates a foundation for continuous improvement. The hypothesis is empirically testable through comparative case studies of schools using different implementation approaches.

Improving the performance of local government officials is essential for enhancing local development outcomes in West Africa. Yet, the strategies for achieving performance improvement remain contested, and the relationship between improved performance and development outcomes is not well understood. This article evaluates the improvement of local government officials' performance and its impact on local development in West Africa through a comparative analysis of three theoretical frameworks: Capacity Building Theory, Organizational Learning Theory, and Performance Management Theory. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review, the research identifies the key strategies for performance improvement, including training, motivation, systems improvement, and accountability enhancement. The analysis reveals that while Capacity Building Theory emphasizes individual skills and knowledge, Organizational Learning Theory highlights collective learning and adaptation, and Performance Management Theory focuses on goal setting, monitoring, and feedback. The article proposes a new theoretical framework—Concerted Local Performance Theory—that integrates insights from all three theories and is adapted to the West African context. Concerted Local Performance Theory emphasizes collective, negotiated results that increase performance through collaboration among local government officials, citizens, civil society organizations, and central government.

Public administration scholars and practitioners have long maintained a relatively straightforward taxonomy of workplace behaviors: some behaviors are positive and should be encouraged, while others are negative and should be eliminated (Robbins et al., 2023). The present study empirically challenges this dichotomous classification by investigating counterintuitive findings that emerged from a larger research project on civil servant behaviors and organizational performance. Testing hypothesis H2, which assumed that eighteen behaviors, predominantly positive in character, would explain civil servant conduct, the research employed structural equation modeling on survey data from three hundred and eighty-one civil servants and service users in Libreville, Gabon (Byrne, 2016). The results reject hypothesis H2, revealing that the latent variable representing civil servant behavior is significantly explained by two distinct sets of items. The first set comprises behaviors traditionally classified as positive, including collaboration (β = .092, p = .019), self-motivation (β = .149, p = .008), benevolence (β = .174, p = .001), sociability (β = .100, p = .075), cynicism (β = .707), and team spirit (β = .101, p = .068), all of which loaded positively onto the behavior construct. The second set comprises behaviors that are more traditionally viewed as positive—motivation (β = -.139, p = .017), involvement (β = -.148, p = .010), empathy (β = -.172, p = .003), helpfulness (β = -.107, p = .061)—along with conflictuality (β = -.190, p < .001), which is traditionally viewed as negative. Surprisingly, all of these loaded negatively onto the behavior construct. Critically, despite…

The persistence and growth of the informal pharmaceutical market in Burkina Faso cannot be understood solely through the lens of consumer behavior; the actions and inactions of institutional actors are equally important. This qualitative study examines the perspectives of stakeholders involved in regulating, enforcing, and supplying the pharmaceutical market in Ouagadougou. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight stakeholders, including law enforcement officers from the national police, gendarmerie, and customs services; a magistrate from the Ouagadougou Court of First Instance; a pharmacist from the National Agency for Pharmaceutical Regulation; and two street vendors. Thematic content analysis revealed that stakeholders identify multiple factors contributing to the persistence of the informal market, including the absence of strong and firm legislation specifically targeting street medicine sales, corruption within law enforcement and the judiciary, insufficient and ineffective public awareness campaigns, and significant shortcomings in the public health system itself, including insufficient numbers of hospitals and pharmacies, the long and costly process of obtaining formal pharmaceuticals, and unprofessional attitudes of healthcare workers toward patients. The study also found that street vendors operate with a high degree of organization, sourcing products through complex supply chains that cross national borders and distributing them through networks of sedentary and itinerant vendors. These findings suggest that effective policy responses must address not only consumer demand but also supply-side factors and the institutional failures that enable the informal market to thrive.

The relationship between administrative procedures and student academic performance is often assumed but rarely empirically demonstrated. This article tests the hypothesis that inefficient administrative procedures negatively affect student academic performance. Drawing on organizational effectiveness theory, school improvement research, and the principles of educational administration, the study employs a quantitative research design combining document analysis, administrative data, and survey questionnaires at the CSP Bakaye private school in Niamey, Niger. The research operationalizes administrative procedures through indicators such as registration processes, file management, information circulation, task tracking, and disciplinary management. Student academic performance is measured through success rates, grade repetition rates, attendance rates, and student motivation. The findings reveal significant correlations between administrative inefficiencies and reduced academic performance. Registration procedures are non-uniform, 61 percent of student files are incomplete, disciplinary rules are applied inconsistently, and 57 percent of essential information for school steering is incomplete or delayed. Pearson correlations (p < 0.01) show that the standardization of administrative procedures is positively associated with file completeness, rule consistency, information timeliness, and, ultimately, student academic performance. The study concludes that inefficient administrative procedures negatively affect student academic performance. The article proposes that the formalization of administrative procedures through a standardized manual is essential for improving student performance by ensuring traceability, planning, and quality of pedagogical follow-up.

The ultimate purpose of socio-economic development projects is to improve the living conditions of beneficiaries. However, measuring this impact is methodologically challenging, and many projects are evaluated based on outputs rather than outcomes. This article tests the hypothesis that concrete improvement in beneficiary living conditions testifies to project success and efficacy. Drawing on the impact evaluation literature, the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria, and the capability approach, the study employs a mixed-method design combining document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and beneficiary surveys across fifteen dioceses of the Church-Family of God in Burkina Faso. The research operationalizes living conditions through multiple dimensions, including income, employment, access to basic services, health, education, food security, and social capital. The findings reveal that concrete improvement in beneficiary living conditions is a valid indicator of project success, but that measuring this improvement requires attention to several methodological challenges, including the attribution problem, the selection problem, the timing of measurement, and the heterogeneity of impacts across beneficiary groups. The study identifies four pathways through which projects improve living conditions: direct provision of goods and services, income generation, capacity building, and social mobilization. It also identifies factors that mediate the relationship between project activities and living condition improvements, including the quality of project implementation, the enabling environment, and beneficiary characteristics. The article proposes a mixed-method approach to impact measurement that combines quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and participatory methods. It concludes that while output-based evaluation is easier and cheaper, outcome-based and impact-based evaluation is essential for ensuring that projects are actually…

This study analyzes the role of community policing, defined as the set of strategies aimed at bringing law enforcement closer to communities from a comparative perspective between Canada and South Africa. It is set against a backdrop in which trust emerges as a central element in the effectiveness of public safety policies. The main objective is to analyze the extent to which historical legacies marked notably by colonization, assimilation policies in Canada, and the apartheid regime in South Africa influence current dynamics of trust between the police and the public. The study also highlights past events and police operations that have contributed to institutionalizing lasting mistrust, particularly among marginalized groups. Using a qualitative and comparative approach based on a literature review, this study examines the community policing strategies implemented in both countries. The results show that, although significant efforts have been made to bring the police closer to the communities, their effectiveness varies depending on the extent to which the cultural and historical dimensions specific to each context are taken into account. The study concludes that building lasting trust requires not only institutional reforms, but also an acknowledgment of past injustices and an adaptation of policing practices to the sociocultural realities of the communities. It thus highlights the importance of a contextualized, inclusive approach to community policing to strengthen relations between police and citizens.

This study focuses on the analysis of innovative approaches in community nutrition implemented in Burkina Faso between 2024 and 2025. It aims to understand the strategies developed at the community level to combat malnutrition and promote healthy eating, as well as their perceived effectiveness by the involved actors. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in the Central-North, Sahel, and North regions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observations, and document analysis, then processed using thematic analysis assisted by NVivo 12 software. The sampling was deliberate and involved health and nutrition professionals, NGO representatives, as well as members of beneficiary communities. The results show that the main innovative approaches include nutritional education (76.9% of participants, approximately 40), community vegetable gardens (15.4%, approximately 8), local food processing (23.1%, approximately 12), the use of products like moringa (34.6%, approximately 18), and participatory training sessions (19.2%, approximately 10). The progressive integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) also serves as an important lever for awareness and monitoring, notably through smartphones and mobile applications (about 30.8%, n≈16) as well as SMS and WhatsApp platforms (about 25.0%, n≈13). Analyses indicate an improvement in nutritional knowledge and diversification of eating practices among the majority of participants (69.2%, n≈36). However, the persistence of malnutrition is mainly associated with poverty (30.3%, n≈16), food insecurity (30.3%, n≈16), and structural and organizational constraints (15.6%, n≈8). In conclusion, innovative approaches in community nutrition seem relevant for improving the nutritional status of populations, but their effectiveness depends on strengthening community involvement, integrating…

The rapid digital transformation of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Burkina Faso, accelerated by the West African Economic and Monetary Union's interoperability initiative, has exposed these institutions to unprecedented AI-amplified cyber threats. While artificial intelligence (AI)-based cybersecurity systems offer promising capabilities for threat detection and response, their adoption in the Burkinabe microfinance sector remains severely constrained by interrelated technical, human, financial, and organizational barriers. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of these adoption constraints, drawing on primary survey data from 45 MFIs across Burkina Faso, supplemented by interviews with IT managers and analysis of regional and global adoption studies. The findings reveal that 78.6% of MFIs lack the technical infrastructure for AI deployment, with legacy systems incapable of supporting AI workloads. The human capital deficit is acute, with Burkina Faso having fewer than 200 trained cybersecurity professionals serving over 80 MFIs, and 82% of African companies reporting difficulty hiring AI-cybersecurity talent. Financial constraints are pervasive, with the average MFI allocating only 4.2% of its IT budget to cybersecurity, far below the recommended level. Organizational barriers include the absence of cybersecurity policies (68.9%), the lack of board-level IT expertise, and the absence of sector-specific regulatory guidance. The study extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to the AI-cybersecurity adoption context, identifying perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and external constraints as critical adoption determinants. The article concludes with a framework for addressing these barriers through a phased approach emphasizing foundational controls, managed security services, and public-private partnerships for capacity building.

This article investigates the intersection of artificial intelligence and international trade theory, examining how AI technologies influence the determinants of trade flows in Africa. Employing the gravity model of international trade as the analytical framework, the study synthesizes existing literature on AI applications in trade analysis, including neural machine translation, machine learning algorithms for trade prediction, and AI-enhanced econometric estimation techniques. The analysis draws on empirical evidence from recent studies on African trade patterns, regional trade agreements, and the role of digital technologies in reducing trade costs. Findings indicate that AI technologies, particularly neural machine translation and machine learning-based gravity model estimations, positively and significantly affect trade flows by reducing linguistic barriers, improving logistics efficiency, and enabling more accurate predictions of bilateral trade patterns . However, the adoption of AI in African trade contexts remains uneven, with infrastructure deficits, data scarcity, and capacity constraints presenting significant challenges. The study contributes to the emerging literature on AI and international trade by providing a systematic analysis of AI's potential to enhance trade analysis and policy formulation in the African context.

The emergence of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in July 2024 represents a paradigm shift in sub-regional integration, challenging conventional models rooted in economic interdependence and democratic governance. Comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger three military-led states with a combined population exceeding 70 million the AES articulates a sovereignty-centric vision of integration that prioritizes security cooperation, institutional autonomy, and the repudiation of Western influence. This article examines the AES as a new model of sub-regional integration, analyzing its institutional architecture, security framework, economic pillars, and geopolitical positioning. Drawing on primary sources including the Liptako-Gourma Charter, the Treaty of Confederation, and official communiqués, as well as policy analyses from Chatham House, the Centre for Democracy and Development, and the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service, the study assesses the AES's viability as an alternative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The article argues that while the AES represents a genuine assertion of sovereignty responding to legitimate grievances against ECOWAS and former colonial powers, its military-driven governance model, institutional shallowness, and geopolitical dependency on Russia present significant challenges to sustainable integration. The study concludes that the AES's long-term viability depends on its ability to balance sovereignty with accountability, security with development, and autonomy with regional cooperation. It recommends that both ECOWAS and the AES pursue pragmatic engagement on shared security and economic challenges while maintaining principled positions on governance standards.

Spontaneous abortion, defined as the natural termination of a pregnancy before the 20th week of amenorrhea, most often occurs in the first trimester. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 20% of confirmed pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion, although the actual figure may be higher due to undiagnosed early losses. Understanding the factors contributing to these events is essential for better guiding prevention, medical monitoring, and psychological support for affected women. Spontaneous abortion remains a frequent complication of pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Its causes are multifactorial, ranging from maternal age to infectious and socioeconomic factors.

Achieving SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) requires building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Target 9.5 aims to enhance scientific research and upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, particularly developing countries, including by encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per one million people and public and private research and development spending. Target 9.B supports domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare globally, with applications spanning medical imaging analysis, clinical decision support, drug discovery, predictive analytics, robotic surgery, and personalized medicine. However, the rapid integration of AI into healthcare systems has raised critical ethical concerns including algorithmic bias and discrimination, data privacy and security, informed consent, transparency and explainability, clinical accountability and liability, equitable access, and patient safety. The ethical governance of medical AI is not uniform across jurisdictions; different countries have developed divergent frameworks shaped by political systems, legal traditions, cultural values, industrial policies, and public trust. This study conducts a comparative analysis of artificial intelligence in healthcare and ethical frameworks in the United States and China, the two leading global powers in AI research, development, and deployment, with contrasting governance models, regulatory philosophies, and value priorities. The United States, a high-income country with a market-driven economy and a decentralized regulatory system, has adopted an innovation-favorable approach to medical AI governance. The FDA has approved over 1,250 AI-enabled medical devices as of 2025, with more than 75…

Achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) requires ensuring access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services (Target 11.1) and providing access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all (Target 11.2), with particular attention to the vulnerable. Target 11.5 significantly reduces the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including floods. Target 11.B increases the number of cities adopting integrated policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Floods are the most frequent and damaging natural disaster globally, affecting over 2 billion people between 1998 and 2017. Low-lying deltaic nations, including Bangladesh and the Netherlands, are among the most flood-vulnerable countries, yet they have developed contrasting models of flood-resilient infrastructure and community adaptation. This study conducts a comparative analysis of flood-resilient infrastructure and community adaptation in Bangladesh and the Netherlands, two countries with shared geography as low-lying deltas with major rivers and sea-level rise risk, but vastly different economic, technological, and institutional contexts. The Netherlands has developed one of the world's most sophisticated flood defense systems, including the Delta Works with dikes, levees, dams, and storm surge barriers, the Room for the River programme which gives rivers more space to flood rather than only raising dikes, the Maeslantkering as the largest moving storm surge barrier in the world, the Oosterscheldekering as a 9-kilometer storm surge barrier, sand suppletion for beach nourishment, and high-resolution forecasting. The Dutch approach has shifted from fighting water through high dikes and engineering to living with…

Achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) requires ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, including access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and health services (Target 3.8). Traditional medicine, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, traditional birth attendance, bone-setting, and spiritual healing, is widely used globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, serving 60 to 80 percent of the population in some regions. However, traditional medicine integration into national health systems varies dramatically across countries, shaped by historical recognition, regulatory frameworks, research investment, medical education, and political will. This study conducts a comparative analysis of traditional medicine integration into national health systems in China and South Africa, two countries with rich indigenous medical traditions, contrasting colonial histories, and divergent policy trajectories. China has achieved the most comprehensive integration of traditional medicine into a national health system globally, with constitutional recognition, legal protection, health insurance coverage, and widespread integration into public hospitals and primary care. South Africa, despite having a diverse indigenous medical heritage and enabling legislation, faces significant implementation gaps, including slow registration of traditional healers, lack of integration into health insurance and medical education, and limited research funding. Using a qualitative comparative case study methodology, the study analyzes secondary data from government reports, WHO documents, peer-reviewed literature, and program evaluations over the period 2000 to 2025. The study finds that China's successful integration is attributable to strong political commitment, investment in research, education, quality control, and health insurance coverage. South Africa's integration lags due…