Nelly Sanon advocates for African-led AI solutions and ethical biometric systems
via Lefaso.net8 min read
Nelly Sanon, a researcher at a laboratory affiliated with the National Center for Scientific Research CNRS, focuses her work on ensuring equity in biometric systems. These technologies, used in various applications from phones to border control, identify individuals based on physical characteristics. Sanon highlights that these systems are not neutral, with studies indicating they are less effective at recognizing certain populations, including people with darker skin, women, and the elderly. She explains that a system's failure to recognize someone is not merely a technical issue but can lead to humiliating or discriminatory experiences. Her research aims to analyze these biases, understand their origins, and develop algorithmic solutions to correct them. Sanon's journey into artificial intelligence was unconventional. After initially pursuing civil engineering in France following her scientific baccalaureate in Burkina Faso, she transitioned to a preparatory class for top engineering schools in Paris. Despite initial struggles, particularly in computer science, she developed a deep interest in the field. A pivotal moment was her experience at the VivaTech exhibition in Paris, where direct exposure to innovative robotics and AI projects solidified her passion. Operating in a male-dominated field, Sanon has faced stereotypes and questions about her ambitions, but these challenges have fueled her determination. Beyond her research, she champions an ethical, inclusive, and Afri
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Must ReadAn ongoing audit at Cameroon's National Assembly has uncovered more than 150 fictitious agents identified between the cabinet and the general secretariat, according to Cameroonian news site 237online.com. This "massive anomaly" reportedly points to three decades of uninterrupted governance by the institution's president, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril 1992-2025. This discovery follows previous reports of fictitious employees in Cameroon, including 20,000 civil servants identified in 2025, resulting in an annual loss of 46 billion FCFA for the state. In 2024, the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform announced that 1,172 public agents had been removed from the payroll, adding to two other waves that year for a total of 4,027 public agents delisted. 237online.com states that the audit reveals a system that has thrived over time, where over 150 ghost employees were registered, administratively validated, and kept in the payroll circuit without ever performing any real function. The news site expresses concern that the National Assembly, as the institution responsible for voting laws and overseeing the executive, loses credibility if it replicates the very practices it is meant to monitor. It questions how these fictitious agents could have persisted, suggesting either superficial control or neutralized results, and fears this case might also go unaddressed like previous ones.
Must ReadIn 2025, Niger arrested 9,289 individuals for drug trafficking, including 8,000 Nigerien nationals and 1,200 foreign nationals. Operations also seized significant quantities of narcotics such as drugs, resins, tramadol, diazepam, and over 4 million pills. Initially a transit country for drugs heading to the Maghreb or Gulf of Guinea, Niger is now experiencing a rise in domestic drug consumption among its youth. The Minister of Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration, Major General Mohamed Toumba, noted a dramatic increase in seizures of cannabis, cocaine, crack, tramadol, and diazepam. The minister highlighted a growing concern among parents as drug use becomes more prevalent in schools. He called for increased parental supervision and state-led awareness campaigns in schools and among youth. A morality brigade, established in October 2024, is actively working on this issue. The minister also mentioned discussions with the UNODC to establish drug rehabilitation centers and emphasized the need to strengthen security around cities and increase defense and security forces to cover the entire territory, citing drug use among artisanal miners. This situation underscores the critical challenge of drug trafficking and organized crime in West Africa and the Sahel, which poses a significant threat to peace and stability. The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel UNOWAS also highlights the increasing sophistication of drug cartels and the use of the Saha
The "Come-Back" exhibition, featuring the artistic works of Hamed Ouattara, Kader Boly, and Harouna Ouédraogo, officially opened at the National Museum of Burkina Faso on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. After successful showings in the United States and other countries, the three artists chose to return to Burkina Faso to present their exhibition. "Come-Back" is described as a return to roots, fostering dialogue between Burkinabe artists living in the United States and their home country. Their works express both their connection to cultural roots and their openness to the world. Themes explored in "Come-Back" include the Sahel, spirituality, current events, living together, and African realities. The artists stated that the exhibition, organized as part of Burkinabe Heritage Month, aims to connect with the national public and will be open until June. Hamed Ouattara emphasized that the exhibition allows Burkinabe people to discover their creations, which have resonated with international audiences. The Director General of the National Museum, Sabari Christian Dao, noted that the exhibition aligns with national goals to promote cultural heritage, contemporary creation, and strengthen ties with the Burkinabe diaspora. He added that the exhibition is artistic, identity-focused, and commemorative, highlighting the creativity of Burkinabe artists living in the United States. The event was held under the patronage of the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, represented by
A delegation from Niger's National Communication Observatory visited the Central Brigade for Combating Cybercrime BCLCC in Burkina Faso on April 20, 2026. The visit was part of a consultation aimed at establishing a platform for communication regulators from AES member countries. Led by Ibrahim Manzo Diallo, president of the ONC of Niger, the delegation sought to understand the BCLCC's expertise. They learned about the institution's creation, responsibilities, organization, and the numerous complaints recorded between 2020 and 2025. The president of the ONC thanked Police Commissioner Bantida Samire Yoni, commander of the BCLCC, for the reception. He noted that the BCLCC's work aligns with the future platform's objective to counter informational warfare by preventing fake accounts from manipulating populations with false information.