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

The article provides a nuanced overview of Senegalese youth (ages 18–35): they are better educated than older generations (55 % have secondary or post-secondary education vs. 21–36 %) yet more likely to be unemployed (41 % actively seeking employment vs. 22–36 %) . Key barriers to employment include inadequate training (35 %), reluctance to take certain jobs (24 %), and mismatch between academic qualifications and market demands (16 %) . Nonetheless, 74 % aspire to start their own business, and 17 % prefer public sector jobs . Their top public policy priorities are rising cost of living, health, unemployment, insecurity, and water access . Despite challenges, 71 % believe the country is heading in the right direction, and 60 % have considered emigrating for economic reasons

Governance, Migration, Education, Youth, Health, EMPLOYMENT, Insécurité, Politique publique

The article “An Initial Study Review of Designing a Technology Solution for Women in Technologically Deprived Areas or Low Resource Constraint Communities” examines barriers to mental health access among women in Ghana. Depression, especially in peripartum women, is underdiagnosed and poorly treated, worsened by poverty, fragile health systems, and the COVID-19 pandemic. While smartphones provide access to care in developed countries, many Ghanaian women only use basic feature phones. The study explores the potential of USSD technology, which works without Internet, to deliver mental health information, collect data, and link women to nearby health facilities. The review highlights human-centered design principles, cultural and linguistic barriers, and the importance of security and privacy in data management. It also identifies research gaps, particularly in language adaptation and data protection, and calls for further studies to develop sustainable, context-appropriate solutions for resource-poor communities.

Governance, Women, Santé mentale, Technology

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

Published on June 26, 2025, this WATHI brief highlights the critical need to improve the living and working conditions of teachers in West Africa. While teachers are pivotal amid rapid population growth and soaring demand for education, they face precarious circumstances: inadequate salaries, urban–rural disparities, poor housing, classroom overcrowding, deficient infrastructure, lack of psychosocial support, and insufficient ongoing training. The article advocates for a strategic, collaborative response involving governments, technical partners, unions, civil society, and citizens. It stresses the importance of salary upgrades, better support systems (housing, transport), incentives for rural postings, and comprehensive measures to restore dignity to the profession. These actions are deemed essential for building resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented education systems in West Africa.

Governance, Education, Politique publique, Recruitment

The article examines the rise of the Koglweogo, self-defense groups originating in rural Sahel regions, in response to the state's security failures. Initially intended as auxiliary forces (VDP) to counter terrorism, these groups have often fueled inter-community violence, perpetuating cycles of retaliation and exclusion. Their recruitment is not ethnically inclusive, and their training inadequate, undermining their legitimacy. The author highlights the tension between the necessity of local security measures and the uncontrolled abuses that follow, risking further erosion of the state’s authority. The involvement of the Koglweogo underscores the shortcomings of poorly regulated security strategies and the complex security dynamics in Burkina Faso.

Governance, Security, Selfdefense

The article discusses the challenge of financing mass and quality education in West Africa. It begins by noting the region’s low education budget—around 4% of GDP compared to the international benchmark of 6%. The area's rapid population growth increases pressure on resources, making financial challenges even more pressing. In a virtual dialogue held in May 2024, organized by WATHI in partnership with the Irish Embassy in Senegal, participants examined the current state of education funding, the impact of demographic growth on education quality, and identified several recommendations. This “QUICK” type article is intended to stimulate public debate and inform policy decisions by presenting key insights and action pathways to ensure quality education access for all in the region.

Governance, Education, Démographie, Funding

The article highlights Africa’s critical issue: the shortage of decent jobs, especially impacting youth. Referencing data from the ILO and Afrobarometer, it reveals that up to 80% of workers are in vulnerable employment . What sets this policy brief apart is its solutions-oriented approach, offering policy options designed to enable transitions from the informal to formal sector. These include enhancing social protection, improving access to quality education, and fostering entrepreneurship, particularly among women and young people . It stresses the importance of job quality — including job stability, security, and dignity — over mere job creation. The article further underscores Africa’s demographic dividend potential, contingent on economic diversification beyond extractive industries

Governance, Youth, Vulnerability, EMPLOYMENT

This briefing addresses information integrity challenges in West Africa and proposes a context-appropriate policy framework. It reviews international, continental, and regional policy instruments, identifying gaps in digital governance. Aligned with UNESCO’s guidelines, the paper outlines minimum requirements for platform governance, particularly during elections or crises. The framework aims to promote responsible governance, build social cohesion, and safeguard democratic processes. It emphasizes the need to effectively counter misinformation, hate speech, and elevate access to reliable information as a public good. The briefing targets policymakers, regulators, civil society, journalists, and researchers working to protect digital rights and reinforce information integrity across the region.

Governance, Information, Social cohesion, Disinformation