Celebrations for the International Bamboo Day, set by the UN for 18 September, have been organized by Benin Forestry administration and the NGO Africa Bambou until today to highlight the species' importance for conservation and local economy

Potential beneficiaries of loans for farmers, or 'credit agricole', a key tool, are calling on authorities to streamline the process: some producers manage to obtain credit from decentralized financial systems, others are stuck with collateral as obstacle

American filmmaker Spike Lee and wife, producer and author Tonya Lewis Lee, have been appointed ambassadors for African-Americans in the US; their role aims to strengthen ties, promote cultural tourism and support reconnection of diaspora to their roots

American singer Ciara Princess Wilson has officially acquired Beninese nationality, becoming one of the first prominent figures to benefit from a groundbreaking citizenship program launched aimed at strengthening ties with the African diaspora

Producers, directors and other film industry professionals are setting a link between Los Angeles and Cotonou, aiming to develop Beninese cinema and hoping to make it essential across the African continent