War in Ukraine has caused a global shortage in fertilizer, but in Benin a locally made alternative is, according to its users, yielding better and more abundant crops.

Off the coast of Benin, Bienvenue Djossou has converted his pub into a safe zone for sea turtles. He is part of a group called eco-guards, who protect vulnerable turtle eggs and fight to ensure that the species does not go extinct.

46 Ivorian troops appear at a court of appeal in Bamako as West African leaders decide not to sanction Mali following the arrest of the soldiers back in July. Also, in Benin, fresh faces have emerged on the political scene and a youthful electorate is looking to keep elected officials in check in the upcoming legislative elections.

France aims to "respond positively" to requests from Benin and other countries for air support and intelligence to combat Islamist militants, a French official said on Wednesday, as French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the West African state.

Northern Benin is at the center of a security crisis which has moved south from the Sahel. Poverty and climate change have provided fertile ground for criminals and extremists.

Josiane Hodonou's small plantain flour business has almost doubled its production since the start of the war in Ukraine. With wheat flour becoming hard to find and expensive, some people see the cooking banana as a viable alternative.

After a 130 years away, 26 stolen artefacts from Benin are finally being displayed at home after having been returned by France.The pieces were looted by soldiers from the kingdom of Dahomey in 1892 and are now taking pride of place at the presidential palace.

Nigerians celebrated the homecoming of Benin bronzes pillaged during the colonial era. It comes as African leaders are pushing for the restitution of the artifacts from Europe.

In Benin, artefacts that were looted by French forces during the 19th century and formally returned to their homeland last year are about to go on display. The objects include sculptures, masks and small pieces of furniture for ceremonial uses. FRANCE 24's Georja Calvin-Smith reports from the capital Cotonou. Also, French lawmakers pave the way for artworks stolen by the Nazis and currently on display in French museums to be returned to their rightful heirs.

Child trafficking is often described as modern day slavery. despite legal and social measures aimed at combating the practice, it remains rife in a number of west african countries.

Dozens of artefacts are finally back home in Benin after they were looted by French colonisers more than a century ago. Also, African voices at COP26 call for a stronger stance from richer nations who are held responsible for most of the pollution driving the climate emergency. And African content creators put TikTok on the spot. The continent's online creators say the platform has overlooked them in the creation of a payment fund that only caters to US and EU influencers.

Benin's parliament has voted to legalize abortion in most cases, becoming one of only a handful of African countries to do so.