The diocese of Abomey, in southern Benin, is the only one to appoint women as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, seeking to break away from traditional gender exclusions

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

A mobile classroom, the Blobus, is traveling across Benin upon private initiative to bring screens into school programs and promote digital education and access to technology, still a luxury for many pupils