We hear from up-and-coming artist Matthew Eguavoen, whose work translates complex, contemporary African experiences into vibrant and challenging portraits. But first, Ethiopian researchers are hoping that a local staple known as false banana could have some real benefits for food security. Enset is little known outside of the country but is nutritious and drought resistant. Also, nine ancient Libyan artefacts have been returned home after having been looted during 21st century conflicts and smuggled out to the US.

Artist Matthew Eguavoen addresses mental health and social pressure

Join Georja Calvin-Smith for a round up of the week's cultural and current affairs stories from across the African continent: exclusive reports and analysis. Every Thursday at 3:45pm Paris time.

News & Politics

We bring you a week of political and social events from across the African continent. This week, Uganda's constitutional court threw out a challenge to the homophobic law adopted last May. Also, Congolese wordsmiths the Tetra collective use slam poetry to explore their deep love of Congolese and French literature. And many women farmers in Senegal struggle to secure access to land in the rural communities where they are sidelined from ownership.

Uganda's anti-gay law stands after top court rejects bid to block it

There is increased focus on education at the COP28 climate talks amidst growing acknowledgement of the importance of the sector in responding to the uncertainty and displacement caused by climate change. FRANCE 24's Georja Calvin-Smith speaks to Yasmine Sherif, the head of the Education Cannot Wait fund, as she sets out the stakes from the crucial talks in Dubai.

Greening education key to Africa's climate challenge

Students are among the victims of Nigeria's rampant inflation, as they face tuition fee hikes of over 300 percent. Also, the clock is ticking down towards DR Congo's general elections, in which President Felix Tshisekedi is running for a second term. Plus, Nairobi hosts international talks on the reduction of plastic pollution.

Nigerian university students in torment over 300% fee hikes

Benin's forests have long been seen as places of hope for believers of the voodoo religion, but urbanisation threatens the green spaces. Also, Ivory Coast's ghost children are invisible to the state. The number of babies whose births are undeclared are on the rise.

The felling of the spirits: Benin's shrinking voodoo forests

As Africa's cultural heavyweights gather in Lagos for its 13th iconic Fashion Week, we speak to the event's founder about a unique UN study that lines the continent up as a major influence on the future of fashion. Also, the march of progress in Dakar tramples over the Senegalese capital's green spaces in a building boom. And as the numbers of Africa's penguins continue to plummet, scientists are warning that in little over a decade there may not be enough left to survive in the wild.

Artist Matthew Eguavoen addresses mental health and social pressure

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