The article highlights unresolved armed conflicts as the primary driver of acute food insecurity in Africa. In 2025, a record 167 million Africans faced acute food insecurity, with over 130 million living in conflict-affected countries. More than 700,000 people are at risk of famine, mainly in Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali. Conflicts severely disrupt agricultural production, markets, transport systems, and humanitarian access, while triggering large-scale population displacement. The analysis shows that five countries—Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan—account for nearly two-thirds of acute food insecurity on the continent. The article also stresses the regional spillover effects of conflicts, which strain neighboring countries and humanitarian response capacities. It concludes that famine is fundamentally a man-made catastrophe, with long-term economic and security consequences, undermining human capital, stability, and development prospects across Africa.

Politics, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Food security, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Insécurité, Food insecurity

This podcast discusses a recent study by the African Development Bank (AfDB) identifying twelve minerals considered critical for Africa’s industrial development. Drawing on the work of Bright Simons, the analysis challenges the uncritical adoption of “critical minerals” frameworks defined by industrialized countries. A mineral is only critical in relation to a society’s productive priorities. For Africa, truly critical minerals are those that support industrialization, agriculture, construction, and low-carbon energy systems. Despite holding significant mineral reserves, Africa remains largely confined to raw extraction, with minimal processing and refining capacity. Decades of underinvestment in geological surveys, energy infrastructure, logistics, and technology have weakened states’ negotiating power and limited value creation. The report argues that Africa can only transform its mineral wealth into inclusive growth through an integrated industrial strategy focused on local processing, infrastructure development, and technological upgrading.

Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Inclusion

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin No. 27 assesses pastoral conditions in Burkina Faso during August–September 2025, the peak of the rainy season. Based on field surveys and satellite data, the report highlights generally good availability of pasture and water resources, with vegetation cover ranging from 60% to 90%. Livestock mobility is reduced, and animal concentrations are moderate to high, particularly around agricultural areas. However, regional disparities remain, with localized shortages of pasture and water in parts of western and central Burkina Faso. Although cereal prices declined slightly and livestock prices improved marginally, terms of trade continue to be unfavorable for herders. The bulletin also reports persistent cattle theft and localized conflicts, especially in border areas. Overall, pastoral conditions have improved compared to the previous period, but the report emphasizes the need to strengthen pastoral resilience, improve conflict prevention mechanisms, and enhance support to pastoral communities.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

This regional report by Action Against Hunger assesses vegetation biomass production in the Sahel during the 2025 growing season using satellite imagery and climatic data. It finds that the 2025 rainy season was generally normal to above average across Sahelian countries, resulting in good to very good biomass production, exceeding the 25-year average, though remaining below the exceptional levels observed in 2024. Central Sahel areas, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, recorded significant positive anomalies, while localized deficits persist in western Senegal, south-western Mauritania and the Lake Chad basin. In coastal countries, biomass production remains below average despite slight improvement compared to 2024. The report indicates that pastoral vulnerability for the 2026 dry season is generally low; however, insecurity, restrictions on transhumant movements and livestock concentration significantly constrain access to grazing resources, increasing the risk of early and difficult pastoral lean periods in several zones.

Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Knowlege production, water

The article assesses progress and remaining challenges in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a long-term strategic framework aimed at building an integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and globally influential Africa by 2063. Organized around seven core aspirations, the Agenda is operationalized through ten-year implementation plans and flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Single African Air Transport Market, the African passport, and a continental high-speed rail network. The first ten-year plan (2014-2023) indicates that Africa has achieved slightly more than half of its targets, particularly in infrastructure development, economic integration, digital connectivity, and visa reforms. However, significant obstacles remain, including persistent financing gaps, uneven national implementation, regional insecurity, and limited institutional capacity. The article emphasizes that the long-term success of Agenda 2063 depends on stronger domestic resource mobilization, improved governance, and, critically, greater ownership by African citizens and the diaspora.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Development, Gold, Human security, water

Issue 34 of the Sahel Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin highlights an overall improvement in pastoral conditions across the region during August–September 2025. Pasture and water availability is generally satisfactory, contributing to good livestock body condition. However, significant spatial disparities remain, with some areas experiencing low vegetation cover while others face excess water and flooding risks. Livestock markets are mostly accessible, yet rising animal prices combined with fluctuating cereal prices continue to negatively affect terms of trade for pastoralists in several locations. From a health perspective, outbreaks of animal and human diseases have been reported, requiring increased monitoring. Security conditions remain fragile in parts of the region, marked by recurrent livestock theft and increased pressure on pastoral resources due to the presence of displaced and refugee populations.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Health, Information, Marché, water

The report demonstrates a sharp deterioration of Mali’s security situation since the military junta seized power in 2020. Violence by militant Islamist groups has surged and now covers every region, including areas close to Bamako. Maps throughout the report (pp. 1–4) show the rapid geographic expansion of attacks. In 2023, Mali is on track to exceed 1,000 violent events, nearly triple the level recorded when the junta took power. Focused on consolidating its rule, the junta alienated regional and international security partners and demanded the withdrawal of the 15,000-strong UN mission (MINUSMA), pushing northern Mali to the brink of renewed civil war. The arrival of Russia-linked Wagner forces has worsened abuses, with more than 320 human rights violations documented. In the center and south, FLM, JNIM, and ISGS have strengthened their operations. State authority is collapsing as civilians face escalating attacks, instability, and governance breakdown.

Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat

The article examines the rise of pro-government NGOs in Nigeria, used by political elites to suppress independent civic voices. Historically resilient, Nigeria’s civil society has come under pressure as the government has become more illiberal, especially since Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015. Over 360 pro-government NGOs—often unregistered, short-lived, and connected through overlapping patronage networks—have emerged to praise the regime, attack critics, manipulate public narratives, and legitimize authoritarian practices. These groups rely on sycophancy, ad hominem attacks, opaque funding, orchestrated media appearances, and ties with fringe news platforms. Their activities erode democracy by discrediting genuine civil society, undermining accountability, spreading anti-democratic discourse, and reducing the effectiveness of international support. The article also profiles key actors such as Philip Agbese and Bosede Ajibola and outlines policy recommendations to counter the growing influence of this “fake civil society.”

Governance, Medias, Civil Society, Disinformation

The article “Strengthened governance to boost responsible investment in agriculture and food systems” explains how Liberia and Sierra Leone are working to improve the quality and effectiveness of agricultural investments, which are vital for reducing poverty and hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified vulnerabilities, increasing the need for substantial agricultural funding to achieve the first two SDGs. Ensuring that investments generate positive social, economic, and environmental impacts is crucial. The FAO supports governments, civil society, and private-sector actors in applying the CFS-RAI Principles, improving governance mechanisms, harmonizing policies, reforming crop compensation systems, and establishing multi-stakeholder platforms for inclusive decision-making. The initiatives include capacity building for local actors, aligning screening tools for investment approval, and fostering a shared national vision for responsible agricultural development. The goal is to create better-coordinated, more transparent, and more equitable investment environments.

Governance, Agriculture, Food security, Funding