I work as a freelance journalist specialising in the environment, business, sustainability and development issues, with a particular interest in Africa.

Regular gigs include being the Africa editor of the specialist water magazine Global Water Intelligence and an author for Lonely Planet, with a focus on France, London and Africa (I have co-authored more than 30 guidebooks).

Special interests

Since 2019, I have taken an interest in the use of insects as food and feed and how the insect protein industry is growing in the developed world. More details on this page.

I am a specialist in Madagascar, which I have covered extensively as a journalist since 2011 (including the end of the transition, the 2013 and 2018 presidential elections). I have worked on the last three issues of Lonely Planet’s guide to the country and written a number of travel articles too. I have also spoken about the country at various events and conferences.

I also have a long-standing interest in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which I have covered since 2010.

My work has appeared in The Guardian, The Economist, the Telegraph, Mongabay, The Africa Report, Wicked Leeks and the BBC.

I am available for assignments for editorial, commercial or NGO clients.

I am also available to speak and moderate panels at conferences.

Contact me on filouemilie at yahoo dot com.