A seasoned cyclist and advocacy expert, Yasmine Diawara transforms every pedal stroke into a political act. Through her expeditions in West Africa, she campaigns for green mobility, improved education, and decent infrastructure for African youth.

The Bicycle as a Vector of Social Change

A specialist in communication and advocacy, Yasmine Diawara does not consider cycling as a mere hobby, but as a genuine tool for social action . Since 2019, she has been travelling the roads of West Africa (from Benin to Nigeria, via Guinea and Senegal) to deliver powerful messages.

For her, commitment must be concrete. Rather than long speeches, she chooses physical effort and visibility on the ground to raise awareness of the causes she cares about:

1. Girls' education: A central pillar of her interventions.
2. Local innovation: Demonstrating that African youth can transform their environment through simple and ecological solutions.
3. Pushing her limits: By covering up to 130 km per day , she proves that limits are often only mental.

A Human Epic Against Prejudice

Her travels are also a quest for truth about the reality of the continent. Whether logistically accompanied by her mother — whom she affectionately calls "the Arrow" — or traveling alone, Yasmine deconstructs the often alarmist security narrative about Africa.

"We have a bad narrative about certain countries. In reality, the people are very welcoming."

From Ivory Coast to Ghana, she testifies to an unwavering cross-border solidarity , having been spontaneously hosted on numerous occasions by locals encountered along the way.

The Plea: For a "Cyclable Africa"

Beyond athletic performance, Yasmine Diawara's fight is structural. She is calling on decision-makers to urgently invest in sustainable mobility .

Obstacles to the green transition

According to her, two major obstacles are slowing down the adoption of cycling on the continent:

1. Road safety: The lack of cycle paths makes cycling dangerous, both for travelers and workers.
2. Promoting the value of the professions: Having herself worked in bicycle delivery, she campaigns for this sector to become a provider of dignified and secure green jobs .

Changing mindsets, curbing the exodus

For Yasmine, developing cycling infrastructure is a key factor in retaining talent. By offering a modern quality of life and local economic opportunities, Africa can reduce the desire of its youth to migrate.

Towards New Horizons

Although her projects still struggle to secure the necessary financial support from organizations, Yasmine Diawara is not slowing down. Her message to young girls is clear: "Everything is possible if you take action."

While she already dreams of a round-the-world trip by bicycle , her priority remains rooted in her native soil: making green mobility an accessible, safe and valued reality for every African.