Affissou Alao ABDOUL-KARIM: Champion of Social Cohesion through Sport and Education
In October 2025, Stake experts launched the second cohort of its Professional Exchange Program for Conflict Mitigation by CSOs, an initiative designed to support leaders of West African organizations navigating a period of profound upheaval. Over three months, participants receive intensive guidance to strengthen their institutions’ resilience and competitiveness through practical programme development tools. In this feature, we spotlight one of the four members of the second cohort: Affissou Alao Abdoul-Karim
Affissou Alao ABDOUL-KARIM is a committed advocate for social cohesion and community development, harnessing the transformative power of sport and education. Holding a professional degree in English didactics, he integrates pedagogy, civic engagement, and humanitarian action to empower young people and foster inclusive communities.
As a football coach and active member of the Beninese Red Cross (Malanville local committee), Abdoul-Karim dedicates his efforts to northern Benin’s most vulnerable areas, promoting peace, inclusion, and solidarity.
His work reflects three core passions: sport, education, and social action. He views football not only as a game but also as a platform for discipline, mentorship , and the transmission of values such as respect, tolerance, and teamwork. His academic training further reinforced his conviction that education is a cornerstone of human development and conflict prevention.
A defining milestone in his journey was his participation in the Global Youth Dialogue, where he engaged with peers from conflict-affected regions. Inspired by their resilience and determination, he strengthened his belief that youth can be a powerful agent of peace and social transformation, even in fragile contexts.
Abdoul-Karim’s contributions are multifaceted, combining sport, humanitarian action, and civic engagement to strengthen community resilience. As a football coach, he invests deeply in training young players , emphasizing human values alongside athletic performance. He also leads humanitarian initiatives with the Red Cross, including awareness campaigns, solidarity actions, and community assistance. Beyond this, he actively participates in projects that foster dialogue, coexistence, and social cohesion among youth, while representing his community in national consultation frameworks.
Guided by values of dignity, solidarity, integrity, responsibility, and commitment, Abdoul-Karim champions dialogue, inclusion, and non-violence as foundations of lasting peace. He acts with humility and perseverance, convinced that change begins with leading by example.
His vision is to nurture a responsible, engaged generation of youth who serve as agents of peace. He leverages sport, education, and community dialogue as strategic tools for social transformation, with long-term ambitions to design and coordinate structured initiatives for conflict prevention, social cohesion, and youth empowerment at local and regional levels. Currently, he is developing impactful sports programs, peace awareness initiatives, and strengthening his leadership skills. His participation in the CSO – Cohort 2 program of STAKE EXPERTS represents a strategic opportunity for learning, networking, and professional growth to better serve his community.
AJECOP: Youth for Peace and Inclusion in Northern Benin
Founded in July 2024 in Malanville by a collective of committed young people, the Association of Youth for Peaceful Coexistence (AJECOP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting peace, tolerance, and social cohesion in a context marked by tension. With youth at the center of its mission, AJECOP harnesses education and sport as levers of transformation, creating safe spaces for vulnerable children and young people to learn, dialogue, and express themselves.
Its initiatives include academic support for struggling students, solidarity actions for vulnerable families, intercommunity dialogue platforms that foster mutual understanding, and an inclusive football tournament bringing together boys and girls to promote
Gender equality and reduce discrimination. AJECOP adopts a participatory and innovative approach, integrating digital tools for awareness and mobilization, while relying on a dynamic executive board, dedicated volunteers, and local partnerships to sustain its work.
Despite challenges such as limited resources and sociocultural barriers, AJECOP aspires to become a structured and credible actor of social cohesion in northern Benin. Through the CSO Fellowship program, the association aims to strengthen its governance, expand the impact of its interventions, and enhance its visibility at local and regional levels.
For more information, please contact fellowship@stakeexperts.com.