Ollivier Girard is a documentary photographer specializing in global development issues for international development organizations and magazines. Born in France, he studied social work and then worked in youth centers and international organizations in Guinea, Sierra Leone and DRC before pursuing photography professionally in 2006. "Photography can play an important role in changing perceptions and mobilizing opinions for advocacy and action." He works on complex subjects such as child protection, gender, climate change, food crises and others. "Despite the challenges people in my photos are facing, I seek to bring a sensitive and positive perspective to their stories." Ollivier helps clients create custom image libraries, develop photo content for reports, promotional materials, educational campaigns and create compelling media. His images express social realities using a visual language that combines the narrative depth of documentary narration and the aesthetic sensibility of the fine arts. Clients include: WTO/EIF World Trade Organization - ECHO European Union - Danish Institute for Human Right – MENCH Germany – UNFOUNDATION - ICRC/CICR - CARE - AFD Agence Française de Développement - Terre des hommes, Geneva – Gates Foundation – Chemonics - BuzzFeedNews – Story Hunter – Secours Islamique France - Kenyon College - University of Virginia - American Red Cross – WHO, World Health Organization – LWR, Lutheran World Federation - Johanniter International Assistance – University of Massachusetts - Johns Hopkins Hospital - The Arc of Baltimore - Pratt Library - Jewishweek, Washington DC - Wesleyan University - University of Maryland Medical Center - Baltimore Museum of Art - CIFOR - Freedom From Hunger - Washington Post – GIZ (PDDC, ProAgri) - PLAN International - Millenium Promise – UNICEF (Burkina Faso, Niger) - PSI - Fitima Foundation, Handicap Solidaire - Diakonia, UNFPA/SWEDD (Dakar, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Niger) - The Guardian - Save The Children - TFO Canada Trade for Developing Countries
Reconciling sustainable fishing and biodiversity conservation:
The great challenge of Conkouati-Douli National Park Between community survival and ecosystem preservation, Conkouati-Douli National Park (Congo) stands at a decisive turning point. Challenges: overfishing, illegal practices, trawlers in prohibited zones, and a lack of resources to ensure the protection of this vast marine protected area. Impacts: dwindling resources, the lagoon habitat under growing pressure, and declining incomes for local fishermen. Solutions: awareness-raising, strengthened monitoring, creation of a fish reserve, and co-management of fisheries with local communities. “Fishermen must become the first protectors of resources.” – Célestin Koussa Foula Only dialogue between park conservation teams and communities will make it possible to preserve this wealth for future generations.
The Mauritanian Sahara is not just a landscape — it is an experience. From the towering dunes of Adrar Plateau to the remote oasis towns of Chinguetti and Ouadane, the desert invites contemplation. Nights shimmer with stars untouched by artificial light, and the rhythm of nomadic life reflects resilience and grace.
In July 2025, the hexavalent vaccine was introduced for the first time in low-income countries. It protects against six diseases—diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and polio—in a single injection.
This advance simplifies vaccination, reduces the number of shots for infants, and improves coverage, particularly in areas where access to healthcare is limited.
Already in use for 20 years in high-income countries, it is now becoming accessible thanks to Gavi's efforts to make the market viable. By 2030, UNICEF estimates that demand could reach 100 million doses per year. Mauritania and Senegal have already rolled it out with GAVI’s support.
Le Niger est non seulement une terre d'une beauté unique, mais aussi l'un des pays les plus vulnérables au changement climatique. Depuis le début de l’année 2023, plus de 2 millions de personnes luttent contre l’insécurité alimentaire. Cependant, des milliers de familles ont pu diversifier et augmenter leurs revenus grâce au programme de protection social adaptatif au Sahel de la Banque mondiale. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus: https://www.banquemondiale.org/fr/cou...
In West Africa where most shea originates, it is traditionally women that collect shea nuts from nearby parklands, turning the oily kernels within into smooth shea butter. This requires many stages and processes, from the labor of collection and carrying to the work of boiling, drying, shelling, roasting and pounding.The effort is time-consuming and arduous, and is done by rural people living in some of the world’s poorest countries.Now that shea is big in beauty circles and pharmaceuticals due to its nutrient rich and anti-inflammatory properties, there is opportunity to try and guide the profits from sales of creams, salves and balms to the people who need it most, meaning women in countries like Benin and Burkina Faso and Togo.Key to getting shea collectors and processors good pay is wielding the power of community rather than individuals. Efforts by local and regional institutions and international development partnerships – who are also keeping in focus private financing – are assisting people working in the shea sector across West Africa. This includes helping women form cooperatives, through which they can improve their incomes and their production skills so their shea butter is up to international standards, and work together to advocate for better prices and access needed funding.
In West Africa where most shea originates, it is traditionally women that collect shea nuts from nearby parklands, turning the oily kernels within into smooth shea butter. This requires many stages and processes, from the labor of collection and carrying to the work of boiling, drying, shelling, roasting and pounding.
The effort is time-consuming and arduous, and is done by rural people living in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Now that shea is big in beauty circles and pharmaceuticals due to its nutrient rich and anti-inflammatory properties, there is opportunity to try and guide the profits from sales of creams, salves and balms to the people who need it most, meaning women in countries like Benin and Burkina Faso and Togo.
La coordination de l’aide au secours du système éducatif Nigérien.
Kadiatou Soumaila est un pur produit de la rénovation du système de l’éducation professionnelle et technique. Achevant un CAP de construction, elle envisage de poursuivre ses études avec un BEP. La filière qu’elle a choisie est pourvoyeuse d’emploi et lui assure des débouchés, que ce soit comme auto-entrepreneur ou comme employée. N’ayant pu obtenir son BEPC à la fin de ses études générales, elle s’est tournée vers la formation professionnelle sur les conseils d’une amie. Elle a alterné cours théorique, cours pratiques et stages en entreprise pour préparer l’obtention de sa certification. Jeune femme dans un secteur traditionnellement réservé aux hommes, elle est le signe que les mentalités évoluent et que le travail d’institutionnalisation du genre exercé par le Ministère des enseignement professionnels et techniques (MEPT) avec le soutien du Fonds Commun, porte ses fruits. Elle est en effet accompagnée par 4 amies qui se suivent depuis le primaire et déjouent les préjugés. « Parfois, les garçons se moquent de nous quand on passe, ils crient « regardez-moi ces maçons », mais cela m’est égal. Ma famille m’encourage et mon rêve est de continuer à étudier pour devenir ingénieur en génie civile. »
Les défis sont immenses pour relever le système éducatif nigérien. L’avantage du Fonds Commun Sectoriel est qu’il soutient le gouvernement dans ses efforts tout en apportant un renforcement de la capacité des différents acteurs, en termes de programmation, de planification, d’exécution et de suivi évaluation. La budgétisation par objectif est par exemple un exercice nouveau pour le Niger et qui a été largement soutenu par le FCSE. Celle-ci permet de maximiser les investissements en se basant sur des indicateurs réels et de contrôler la bonne utilisation des ressources. Ainsi, l’enquête élaborée par l’Observatoire National de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle du Niger (ONEF) permet d’orienter les politiques publiques et d’améliorer l’adéquation entre l’École et le marché du travail. L’allocation de subvention aux COGES permet quant à elle d’amener l’argent jusque dans les écoles et de responsabiliser les communautés, accompagnant ainsi la décentralisation de l’éducation.
Issaka Hassane Djingo, secrétaire général du MEPT, se réjouit de voir le montant du Fonds Commun augmenter d’année en année, à mesure que de nouveaux partenaires se décident à jouer le jeu de la coordination. L’entrée en 2020 du Partenariat Mondial pour l’Éducation dans la liste des bailleurs du fonds commun laisse en effet présager une montée en puissance des activités et des résultats. La contribution de plus de 75 millions d’Euros provenant du PME sera gérée par l’AFD.
Zouha Mohammed is studying the intricate skill of stitching leather, which can take months to learn. But with that expertise at hand, she now has the opportunity to generate income from her creations, items like purses, bags and keychains.
Mohammed took a course in the craft in Niamey, Niger, and can make as much as 35,000 cfa (US$58) if she sells one of her bags. She said she hopes this extra cash can translate into greater financial independence.
“Many women are active in the leather and hide processing sector in Niger. This economic participation allows them to increase their income and provide for their families,” said Abdou Adamou of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) in Niger.
The story of pineapple cultivation in Benin is a centuries-long one. But its role in the formal, global trade in pineapple is a bit shorter.
Yet the country is now Africa’s fourth largest pineapple exporter, and its trade of the fruit with the European Union (EU) increased by almost six times between 2000 and 2014, reaching between 400,000 and 500,000 tons a year. But in 2017 there was a major hitch when the government instituted a voluntary ban on exports to the EU because of high pesticide levels found in its fruit.
The Benin government spent eight months resolving the use of the chemical, which farmers had been using to turn their naturally green pineapples the yellow color preferred by European consumers. Today, the government is continuing to work to improve the sector, which along with cashew and cotton is considered the trifecta of growth potential there.
Creative Direction + Production + Photography by Ollivier Girard Creative Direction + Graphic design by Grace Leong
UNICEF Niger called upon the services of Sahel Collective to develop an artistic photography project that was inspired by children’s dreams.
Based on the photos taken, we designed visibility materials for UNICEF Niger for 2021, which included a wall calendar, desk calendar, diary, greeting cards, and notepad.
The project was realized from concept to completion by Sahel Collective, and involved strategy, casting, costume design, set design, photography, creative direction, graphic design and layout, and print production.
