The article “Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing” examines democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa. Jean-Marc Segoun highlights “hybrid” regimes—whether civilian or military—sustaining power through gerontocracy, clientelism, militarization, and coercive use of law. These systems foster fear, resignation, and silence political opposition while curtailing fundamental freedoms. Recent examples include the dissolution of political parties in Mali, repression in Burkina Faso, civil rights restrictions in Côte d’Ivoire, and entrenched authoritarianism in Cameroon. The author argues that civil society must move beyond neutrality to become a political force proposing viable alternatives. This requires building networks, sharing practices, and inventing new paradigms suited to contexts of repression. “Substantive democracy” is proposed as a framework to resist authoritarianism, regenerate political thought, and offer pathways toward inclusive governance in societies where traditional democracy has been hollowed out.

Governance, Democracy, Civil Society

The working paper “Digitalisation and Governance in the Sahel”, authored by Mori Gouroubera and published in February 2025, examines the growing role of digital transformation in governance across Sahelian countries. The paper highlights the opportunities provided by digitization—such as increased transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen participation—while also identifying key obstacles including insufficient digital infrastructure, the digital divide, weak institutional coordination, ethical concerns, and cybersecurity. It analyzes digital services in key sectors like health, agriculture, and public services, and envisions three future scenarios: inclusive digital governance, fragmented digitization, or digital regression. The author’s recommendations stress the importance of reinforcing regional cooperation, investing in infrastructure, training populations, diversifying funding, and ensuring data protection. This framework aims to inform policies that foster a sustainable, inclusive, and contextually relevant digital transformation in the Sahel.

Governance, Numérique, Cybersecurity

This article offers an innovative reflection on protective knowledges, defined as knowledge, techniques, and practices drawn from socioculturally rooted local experiences aimed at preventing, addressing, and bolstering resilience against gender-based violence (GBV) in Africa. Positioned between traditional knowledge and imported models, this know-how emerges through hybridization or invention, adapting to contextual realities. It is robust, pragmatic, and capable of transforming unequal social relations. The article criticizes classical epistemological approaches that oppose endogenous and exogenous knowledge and advocates for a third, decolonial, inclusive, and critical path. Through their capacity to mobilize diverse actors (local communities, NGOs, traditional leaders…), these knowledges become powerful levers for prevention, healing, and social transformation. Global Africa invites us to recognize, theorize, and valorize these dynamics rooted in community practices.

Governance, Security, Women, Violence, Inclusion

The article titled “Expertise, Pragmatism and Kindness at the Service of Female Entrepreneurship: The Experience of the Women Investment Club (in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire)”, published by WATHI Think Tank on August 10, 2025, recounts the creation of the Women Investment Club (WIC). Founded in 2015 by prominent women including Madjiguène Sock, Thiaba Camara Sy, Seynabou Seck, and the late Alassane Athia Wade, WIC aimed to foster a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs by providing access to capital and skills. Officially launched in 2016 with an initial investment of 250 million CFA francs, WIC today mobilizes approximately 1.5 billion CFA francs in Senegal and comprises 105 members; in Côte d’Ivoire, it brings together 65 women. In 2019, WIC established WIC Capital, an investment fund dedicated to female-led enterprises, and in 2020, WIC Academy was launched to provide training and mentorship. The initiative exemplifies a rigorous, pragmatic, and kind approach to narrowing gender finance gaps.

Governance, Women, Entrepreneurship, Inclusion, Training

The video article titled “The government should develop a relevant research program for Niger...” features Dr Yaye Aissatou Dramé, Director of Research at Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey, and was published by WATHI Think Tank on August 10, 2025 . As a scholar known for her expertise in agro-food systems, agroforestry, and natural resource management, she advocates for a tailored national research program that addresses Niger’s specific challenges . Such a program, she argues, would enhance the country’s ability to tackle issues related to sustainable development, food security, and resource management by leveraging local researchers and aligning with national priorities

Governance, Agriculture, Natural ressources, Researh, Sustainable development

In 2023, Insecurity Insight documented 22 arson attacks on schools in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with a sharp increase in Niger (1 in 2022 vs 11 in 2023). Most incidents, attributed to JNIM and ISSP, target “Western” education and aim to intimidate teachers and communities, leading to destroyed facilities, prolonged closures, and lasting fear. These attacks undermine access to education, worsen inequalities, and erode social cohesion. The report calls for integrated actions: community awareness campaigns, fire-resistant school infrastructure, emergency plans, coordinated rapid responses, psychological support, and post-attack reconstruction. It also urges humanitarian diplomacy and engagement with armed actors to protect schools and depoliticize education.

Governance, Security, Education

The Bridging Distances report (NRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, January 2025) examines distance learning solutions in the Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) amid insecurity, mass displacement, and weak educational infrastructure. Four main approaches are identified: no-tech (printed materials), low-tech (radio, SMS, basic phones), digital (online platforms, offline Wi-Fi devices), and hybrid models combining several methods. Each modality has strengths and weaknesses, with hybrid approaches proving most resilient. Success factors include adapting to local contexts, teacher training, community involvement, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable funding. Recommendations emphasize inclusion (girls, displaced children, children with disabilities), infrastructure investment, resource-sharing, and integrating psychosocial support. Distance learning is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a set of complementary tools that must be adapted to learners’ needs.

Governance, Education, Numérique

The April 2025 policy brief by Africa Education Watch, authored by Kofi Asare, reviews Ghana’s basic education infrastructure. Despite significant enrolment growth since 2001, about 1 million children remain out of school, including 400,000 dropouts. Key deficits include school buildings, furniture (40% of pupils lacked desks in 2021, rising to 80% in some regions), electricity, and digital infrastructure (only 2% of basic schools in deprived districts have functional ICT facilities). To meet SDG 4 targets by 2030, Ghana needs around 2,000 fully furnished basic schools, 3,600 junior high schools, 508 kindergartens, to replace 5,300 makeshift schools, and supply 800,000 desks. Estimated cost: USD 2 billion. Budgetary constraints and declining donor support necessitate innovative financing, climate-resilient building technologies, community-led furniture initiatives, and targeted interventions for underserved communities.

Governance, Inequality, Education, Infrastructures scolaires, Funding

Two years after Niger’s July 26, 2023 coup d’état, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the country remains mired in political and socio-economic deadlock. Former head of the presidential guard, Tiani justified overthrowing President Bazoum by citing security failures and excessive foreign—particularly French—influence. Reactions from ECOWAS, including sanctions and the threat of military intervention, along with France’s stance, bolstered the CNSP’s nationalist image. Yet, continued closure of the border with Benin, soaring prices, and worsening poverty have deepened public disillusionment. Bazoum and his wife remain under house arrest, symbolizing an unfinished transition. Despite sovereignist rhetoric, the current government has failed to improve the economy or security. The future remains uncertain, with the risk that the pursuit of dignity could lead to prolonged insecurity, authoritarianism, and widespread poverty.

Sovereignty, Governance, Coup d'État