Food sovereignty is currently a major challenge for developing countries, especially in Africa, where rice is a staple food. In Senegal, among the most imported cereals, rice holds a significant place. The quantity consumed each year is rapidly evolving, estimated at around 206,000 tons in 2007, with the assumption that this demand will continue to grow due to accelerated urbanization and a rapidly increasing population, creating a deficit ranging between 66 and 76% that needs to be filled (Hathie and Ndiaye, 2015). To fill this deficit, Senegal imports enormous quantities of rice (7 to 8% of total imports (ANSD, 2007), and these imports have harmful effects on the Senegalese trade balance, resulting in a significant loss of foreign currency, as Senegal loses every year, approximately 191 billion in terms of rice imports. However, achieving food sovereignty is not limited to increasing national rice production. It is also about ensuring the quality of local rice capable of competing with imported rice, in order to convince consumers to fully adopt it. The objective of this article is to determine the determining factors of the quality of local rice and to show how Senegalese households appreciate the quality of local rice. For so doing, two samples of 225 and 258 (the first for the exploratory phase and the second for the confirmatory phase) are analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. The results reveal three essential criteria that determine consumer choice and allow them to appreciate the quality of local rice.

In general, there is still lack of awareness of many financial products and services among the public in Morocco. The huge expectations on the benefits of the development of financial services could turn to disappointment if they are offered in absence of a well-designed ecosystem that must include specialized human capital, education and financial literacy. So, there is need to reach expectations of customers and protect them, inadequate attention to consumer protection and financial literacy can lead to financial instability. If financial literacy and inclusion are more important now, there is a multiple area for enhancement and improvement in term of human resources and stakeholders. Furthermore, if the supply of the financial system is diversified, accessible and inexpensive for a successful financial inclusion, the fact remains that on the demand side, financial education is essential so that the population can assimilate the financial basic concepts. In this regard, Bank Al Maghrib (Central Bank in Morocco) is continuing its financial education activities since the creation in 2012 of the Moroccan Foundation for Financial Education (FMEF) with the aim of implementing the national financial literacy strategy that focus on young and VSEs through customized financial awareness programs.

This study evaluated drug use patterns and patient care practices in outpatient departments of three district hospitals including Kabgayi, Nyanza, and Ruhango—in Rwanda’s Southern Province, using the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Network for Rational Use of Drugs (INRUD) Patient Care Indicators framework. Employing a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 291 respondents out of a target sample of 388 (75% response rate) through systematic observation, prescription review, and exit interviews. The study measured key indicators including average consultation and dispensing times, completeness of dispensing, adequacy of labeling, patient knowledge of prescribed drugs, and satisfaction levels. Results revealed an average consultation time of 24.1 minutes and a dispensing time of 403 seconds, both exceeding WHO’s recommended minimums (10 minutes and 180 seconds respectively). These findings suggest strong patient–provider engagement and adequate counseling practices. However, only 81.5% of prescribed drugs were fully dispensed and 88.3% adequately labeled, indicating gaps in stock management and labeling compliance. Patient knowledge of prescribed medications (82.8%) and confidence in understanding medications (96.6%) were generally high, reflecting effective communication but highlighting the need for more standardized patient education approaches. Satisfaction with consultation (81.7%) and pharmacy experience (94.2%) demonstrated high service quality and strong adherence to patient-centered care principles. The study concludes that while drug use patterns in the Southern Province align substantially with WHO standards, challenges persist in ensuring complete drug availability, proper labeling, and consistent counseling. Strengthening pharmaceutical management systems, enhancing health worker training, and implementing digital dispensing tools could further improve efficiency, safety, and rational drug use. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and health managers aiming to optimize medicine use, promote patient satisfaction, and reinforce healthcare quality in Rwanda’s district hospitals.

The digital presence of a tourist destination increasingly determines its competitiveness and attractiveness in the global market. This paper analyzes the degree of digital transformation of tourist boards in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on the integration of modern web technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), chatbots, accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2), search engine optimization (SEO) and UX/UI design. Using a hybrid methodology that combines automated tools (Google Lighthouse, WAVE, SEMrush) and qualitative analysis, twelve official websites of tourist boards in BiH were investigated. The results show limited application of AI and chatbot functionality, partial compliance with accessibility standards, and a generally low level of technical optimization and user experience. The paper expands on the 2010 survey[1], introducing new indicators in line with the contemporary framework of digital maturity. The conclusions point to the need for strategic investments in digital infrastructure, staff education and the development of personalized and inclusive online services. Finally, concrete recommendations are offered to support the development of smart, competitive and user-oriented digital solutions in the BiH tourism sector.

In the twenty-first century, foreign policy has undergone profound transformation through control of digital infrastructure, management of data flows, and determination of information production processes. This study examines how state-market partnerships shape foreign policy under conditions of digital hegemony and surveillance capitalism, through which mechanisms they execute power transfer, and how they restructure the international order. The fundamental research question is: How do state-market partnerships transform foreign policy under conditions of digital hegemony and surveillance capitalism, and how does this process reshape the international system? The hypothesis posits that digital hegemony and surveillance capitalism reconstruct foreign policy at infrastructural, algorithmic, and epistemic levels through state-market partnerships, generating a new logic of power based on information control, behavioral steering, and reality construction beyond traditional definitions of power. The study aims to bring a new conceptual perspective to foreign policy analysis and provide theoretical and analytical tools necessary for understanding power relations in the digital age. Methodologically, a qualitative, analytical, and inductive research design combining critical political economy and structural-constructivist approaches has been adopted. Data collection was conducted through multi-layered document analysis based on academic literature, state digital policy documents, and corporate reports of technology companies. Findings demonstrate that state-market partnerships transform foreign policy at three levels: construction and standardization of digital systems at the infrastructural level, control of content visibility and information circulation at the algorithmic level, and determination of reality definitions and information legitimacy at the epistemic level. Consequently, foreign policy in the digital age is shaped not through military or diplomatic instruments but through algorithmic competition and epistemic domination. The study contributes conceptually, theoretically, and analytically to the literature by explaining the connection between digital hegemony and surveillance capitalism from a foreign policy perspective.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a critical engine of economic growth, innovation, and regional development, especially within emerging economies like those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite ongoing efforts toward regional integration under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), FDI inflows from 2011 to 2020 remain markedly uneven across the ten member states. This study analyzes FDI trends, disparities, and determinants in ASEAN countries over a ten-year period, focusing on population size, income classification, and GDP growth as explanatory factors. The research employs a descriptive-comparative and correlational design using secondary data from reputable global databases. One-Way ANOVA confirmed statistically significant differences in average annual FDI inflows among member states, while Multiple Linear Regression revealed that population size and income status significantly influence FDI levels—unlike GDP growth, which showed no independent predictive power. Notably, Singapore accounted for 62.81% of ASEAN’s total FDI, while Brunei Darussalam and Lao PDR received less than 1% each. These findings suggest that larger markets and higher income classifications are more attractive to foreign investors. The study underscores the need for targeted national and regional strategies to address investment disparities by improving regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and institutional stability. Recommendations include enhancing human capital, fostering inclusive development, and leveraging demographic strengths to attract sustainable FDI. Ultimately, this research contributes valuable empirical insights to support more balanced and effective FDI strategies across the ASEAN region.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of administrative costs, accommodation, transportation and service costs on the cost of organizing the Hajj pilgrimage (flight costs, costs in Saudi Arabia and domestic costs) and the influence of flight costs, costs in Saudi Arabia and domestic costs on the acceptability of Hajj costs (acceptability of Hajj costs, suitability of Hajj costs, appropriateness of Hajj costs), Path analysis or path analysis and SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) to test the causal relationship between variables. The results of the study based on the results of the path coefficient test show that administrative costs have a positive and significant influence on flight costs and operational costs in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, administrative costs have a negative and significant influence on operational costs in the country. The influence of total administrative costs has a positive and significant influence on the suitability of Hajj costs, the appropriateness of Hajj costs, flight costs and operational costs in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, administrative costs have a negative and significant influence on operational costs in the country. In addition, administrative costs do not have a significant influence. The total cost of accommodation has a positive and significant impact on the acceptability of Hajj costs, the suitability of Hajj costs, the appropriateness of Hajj costs, flight costs, operational costs in Saudi Arabia, and domestic operational costs. The total cost of transportation has a positive and significant impact on the acceptability of Hajj costs, the appropriateness of Hajj costs, operational costs in Saudi Arabia, and domestic operational costs. Meanwhile, transportation costs also have a negative and significant impact on flight costs. The total cost of service and guidance has a positive and significant impact on the acceptability of Hajj costs and domestic operational costs. The total cost of flight has a positive and significant impact on the acceptability of Hajj costs and the appropriateness of Hajj costs. Meanwhile, flight costs have a negative and significant impact on operational costs in Saudi Arabia. The total cost of operational costs in Saudi Arabia has a positive and significant impact on the suitability of Hajj costs and the appropriateness of Hajj costs. The total cost of operational costs in the country has a positive and significant impact on the acceptability of Hajj costs. Meanwhile, domestic operational costs have a negative and significant impact on operational costs in Saudi Arabia.