This WATHI podcast, produced in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland in Senegal, builds on UNESCO’s 2024 Global Report on Teachers and highlights the precarious working conditions faced by teachers in West Africa. Speakers emphasize that low pay, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of psychosocial support weaken the quality of education. Despite some positive reforms salary increases in Côte d’Ivoire, special status for teachers in Burkina Faso, and regularization of educators in Guinea major challenges persist. Experts call for stronger teacher training, transparent management systems, and greater professional recognition. The discussion concludes that investing in teachers’ well-being and professional value is essential for securing the future of education in the region.

Governance, Education, Politique publique

In Benin, President Patrice Talon’s choice of Romuald Wadagni as his successor for the April 2026 presidential election is seen as unusual in West Africa, as Talon confirms he will step down after two terms—unlike other African leaders extending their rule (e.g., Ouattara in Côte d’Ivoire, Biya in Cameroon). Yet, the political climate remains tense. The revised electoral code of March 2024 requires presidential candidates to secure endorsements from at least 15% of deputies and mayors, and imposes a unique 20% threshold per constituency to win a parliamentary seat. These provisions place the opposition, particularly the “Les Démocrates” party, in a precarious position. While the reform aims to reduce political fragmentation and foster coalitions, critics denounce it as a strategy to sideline opposition forces. Thus, despite the promise of a rare democratic transition, uncertainty dominates the pre-election environment.

Politics, Governance, Election, Réforme, Presidential term limits

This article examines South–South security cooperation in Africa through the case of the G5 Sahel. The authors argue that regional organisations, despite being guided by the mantra of “African solutions to African problems,” remain rigid, underfunded, and donor-dependent. In this context, ad hoc initiatives such as the G5 Sahel and the Accra Initiative have proliferated, appearing more flexible and context-sensitive. However, these often become “zombified” institutions shaped by external funding and donor agendas. The G5 Sahel exemplifies this paradox: while it failed to curb insecurity, it nonetheless fostered military cooperation and generated new forms of African agency. This “productive failure” illustrates how Sahelian states repurpose constraints into political opportunities, reassert sovereignty, and engage in new bilateral or regional arrangements, including the creation of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

State, Economic Development, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Cooperation, Threat, Knowlege production

The article “Governance and Economic Development in West Africa: Linking Governance with Economic Misery” investigates the nexus between governance and economic development across West African countries. Using indicators such as political stability, government effectiveness, and corruption control, the authors evaluate governance performance in the region. Findings reveal that while Cape Verde, Ghana, and The Gambia achieve relatively positive scores, most countries suffer from institutional weaknesses. Mali is highlighted as a case of severe decline, driven by recurrent political and security crises. The study argues that poor governance significantly contributes to “economic misery” by exacerbating poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment. The authors emphasize that strengthening domestic institutions—through transparency, accountability, and democratic participation—is essential for sustainable economic progress and social stability in West Africa.

State, Governance, Economic Development, Justice, Education, Development, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production, Institution

The article Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Globalization and Education in West Africa (a virtual dialogue organized by the citizen think tank WATHI) discusses how technological transformations — especially artificial intelligence (AI) — and globalization influence educational systems in West Africa. Although access to education has improved, considerable challenges remain: about 97.5 million children still out of school across Africa, low enrollment rates, vulnerabilities of the education systems in crisis situations (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic), lack of access to digital pedagogic tools, and insufficient teacher preparation for integrating these technologies. The article highlights that AI can offer opportunities like personalized learning, support for students in remote or disadvantaged areas, but implementation is hampered by infrastructural inequalities, limited resources, gaps in educator training, and political commitment that is still inadequate.

Governance, Inequality, Education, Intelligence artificielle

The article “A Growing Divergence of Narratives around Security in Burkina Faso” examines the communication strategy of the military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré since the September 2022 coup. While the regime portrays itself as regaining territory, fostering economic innovation, and protecting civilians, evidence points to a worsening reality: nearly 18,000 deaths linked to jihadist violence in three years, an 87% rise in civilian casualties, and loss of control over 70% of national territory. The economy has suffered from collapsing gold and cotton production and a sharp decline in foreign investment. The humanitarian crisis is escalating, with millions displaced, thousands of schools and health centers shut down, and multiple simultaneous epidemics. The article highlights the growing gap between official narratives and empirical realities, amplified by disinformation campaigns orchestrated with Russian support. This divergence poses serious challenges for governance, regional stability, and democratic principles.

Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Education, Gold, Human security, Influence, Violence, Threat, Information

The article “The Return of Afro-descendants to Africa: A Bridge Between History and Development Today” explores recent legal and symbolic movements that encourage the return of people of African descent, framing it as a way to harness memory, identity, and development. The case of Benin is highlighted: a law enacted in September 2024 allows adults proving their Sub-Saharan African ancestry (by genealogical documents or DNA test) to apply for Beninese nationality for a fee of USD 100. Ghana is also discussed, with its “Year of Return” initiative (2019) and policies around citizenship and residence rights for diaspora members. The article also addresses tensions arising from these returns: rising prices, economic disparities, land conflicts with local populations, and the risk of memorialization being instrumentalized. It suggests that more thoughtful policies — combining historical recognition, cultural diplomacy, and economic opportunity — could transform these returns into a genuine bridge between heritage and progress.

Governance, Migration, Diaspora, Pan-Africanism, Nationality

The article entitled “National Program for Accelerating Girls’ Education and Well-Being, Government of Benin, July 2024”, authored by UNICEF and published in July 2024 on Unicef.org via WATHI, outlines a bold initiative to eliminate educational disparities and promote girls’ well-being. It begins with a global overview, noting that 244 million children aged 6–18 are out of school (including 118.5 million girls), while highlighting the importance of SDG target 4.5 and sexual and reproductive health. Then, it details the situation in Benin: low girls’ enrollment rates, regional disparities, insufficient school infrastructure, gender-based violence, limited access to reproductive health services, and challenges in transitioning from school to employment. The article underscores the persistent obstacles and underscores the need for a strengthened national program to ensure inclusive education for girls.

Governance, Inequality, Gender, Education, Women, Politique publique

This article by Tin Kapetanovic examines the expansion of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) across the Sahara-Sahel through the criminological concept of “transplantation.” It argues that JNIM’s relocation was shaped by both push and pull factors. Push factors included military pressure in northern Mali after France’s Operation Serval (2013) and competition with rival groups such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Pull factors encompassed weak state authority, ethnic tensions (notably between Fulani herders and Dogon farmers), economic opportunities from artisanal gold mining and smuggling routes, and Mopti’s strategic location. JNIM embedded itself locally by integrating traditional leaders, intermarrying, providing security and services, and establishing Sharia-based governance. Nonetheless, its expansion faced resistance from community self-defense militias and heightened counterterrorism operations by Malian and international forces. Applying the transplantation framework highlights JNIM’s deliberate organizational adaptation and environmental exploitation, offering insights beyond ideology or networks

Governance, Security, Terrorism, Extremism