Burkina Faso

Learning in two languages: lessons from francophone Africa on what works best

Kaja Jasinska, University of Toronto and Mary-Claire Ball, University of Toronto Children living in multilingual communities often learn in a language at school that does not match the language they speak at home. This...

Burkina Faso: West Africa’s Hidden Gem

In the geographic heart of West Africa lies Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation whose understated presence belies a deep cultural wealth and striking landscapes. While it remains far from the continent’s busiest tourist...

Learning in two languages: lessons from francophone Africa on what works best

Kaja Jasinska, University of Toronto and Mary-Claire Ball, University of Toronto Children living in multilingual communities often learn in a language at school that does not match the language they speak at home. This mismatch makes it challenging for them to participate in classroom discussions and learn to read. In turn, this contributes to poor learning outcomes, grade repetition, and dropping out of school. Bilingual education programmes that include mother tongue languages have become increasingly popular for improving learning outcomes. Bilingual education is associated with better language and literacy skills, reduced grade repetition and school dropout rates across the globe. Including mother tongue languages in education also places value on children’s...

Burkina Faso’s Political Instability and Regional Security Crisis

Burkina Faso faces a confluence of political instability and armed conflict that has reshaped governance across the Sahel region. Military interventions in state affairs,...

Jihadist groups threaten the conservation of a key west African world heritage site – new study

Papa Sow, The Nordic Africa Institute Burkina Faso, Benin and Niger share a biosphere reserve known as the WAP complex (W-Arly-Pendjari), which spreads across the borders of the three countries. The first part of this 3 million hectare Unesco world heritage site was declared in...

Jihadist groups threaten the conservation of a key west African world heritage site – new study

Papa Sow, The Nordic Africa Institute Burkina Faso, Benin and Niger share a biosphere reserve known as the WAP complex (W-Arly-Pendjari), which spreads across the borders of the three countries. The first part of this 3 million hectare Unesco world heritage site was declared in 1996 and it was extended in 2002. It’s intended to protect species that are highly threatened in the region, including elephants and cheetahs, as well as important wetlands. The three states signed an agreement in 2008...

Learning in two languages: lessons from francophone Africa on what works best

Kaja Jasinska, University of Toronto and Mary-Claire Ball, University of Toronto Children living in multilingual communities often learn in a language at school that does not match the language they speak at home. This...

Learning in two languages: lessons from francophone Africa on what works best

Kaja Jasinska, University of Toronto and Mary-Claire Ball, University of Toronto Children living in multilingual communities often learn in a...

Displaced by violent conflict: the world’s most neglected crises are in Africa – six essential reads

Kagure Gacheche, The Conversation The Norwegian Refugee Council recently released a report highlighting the 10 most neglected displacement crises in the world in 2023. Nine of the 10 countries are in Africa – the...

Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré is making waves in west Africa. Who is he?

Daniel Eizenga, Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Captain Ibrahim Traoré is the interim leader of Burkina Faso, having taken over the position following a coup which he led against Lieutenant Colonel Paul...

Burkina Faso’s Political Instability and Regional Security Crisis

Burkina Faso faces a confluence of political instability and armed conflict that has reshaped governance across the Sahel region. Military interventions in state affairs,...