The article, drawing on an Afrobarometer survey, indicates that most Cameroonians disapprove of the government’s economic management: 78% express dissatisfaction. The social landscape is marked by high (38%) and moderate (43%) lived poverty, with disparities based on education, age, and region. Around 84% report lacking cash income, 70% lack access to safe drinking water, 57% lack sufficient food or healthcare, and 49% struggle with fuel access. The global crisis (pandemic, Ukraine war) is cited as an aggravating factor. Moreover, urban residents, the more educated, and those living in the Littoral or anglophone regions tend to be more critical of economic performance. The article stresses the urgent need for government intervention to improve living conditions, restore public trust, address unemployment, and reduce inequality.

Governance, Economic Development, Poverty

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 focuses on intelligence sharing in the Sahel region, analyzing cooperation among African states as well as interactions between regional actors and external powers. The author discusses how intelligence is shared or withheld based on strategic, security, or sovereignty considerations, and highlights challenges such as trust deficits, institutional capacity gaps, and power asymmetries. Even when cooperation frameworks exist, their effectiveness is often undermined by rivalries, resource constraints, or contradictory policies. The study offers concrete case studies illustrating barriers to cooperation, along with proposals to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms (legal frameworks, harmonization, regional governance). In the Sahel context, the article argues that better integration of intelligence is vital for more effective counter-extremism efforts and regional stability.

Governance, Extremism, Cooperation, Violence, Institution, Instabilité

UNICEF’s “Green Schools” Initiative aims to strengthen children’s resilience in West and Central Africa against climate change through education. Aligned with UNICEF’s 2023–2030 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, it promotes an integrated approach based on three pillars: building eco-friendly and climate-resilient school infrastructure, ensuring school safety and continuity during crises, and advancing climate education and disaster risk reduction. The report emphasizes inclusivity (girls, children with disabilities, displaced populations) and youth participation as central elements. Practical examples illustrate the initiative’s scope: modular sustainable schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, solar-powered water supply systems in Nigeria, emergency education planning in Gabon, and student-led clubs “Deen Kan” in Burkina Faso. The initiative calls for cross-sector coordination and stronger partner support to scale up climate action in and through education, making schools both safe spaces and agents of sustainable change.

Governance, Climate change, Inclusion

This analysis explores the business climate in Mauritania, classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the government introduced an Extended Priority Program (PPE) aimed at stimulating economic activity, strengthening social sectors, and promoting food self-sufficiency. However, major challenges remain: outdated fiscal policies, weak debt recovery, and inefficiencies in cross-border trade. The economy is dominated by informality (over 90% of jobs), with high unemployment particularly affecting youth and women, as well as a mismatch between vocational training and labor market needs. The private sector calls for stronger public-private dialogue, improved access to credit, policies fostering youth and women’s entrepreneurship, infrastructure modernization, and strategies for the gradual formalization of businesses. The report advocates for a more inclusive and investor-friendly business environment to foster sustainable economic growth.

Governance, Youth, Food security, Women, EMPLOYMENT, Entrepreneurship, Vocational training, Informality

This article highlights the urgent need to restore trust between communities in West Africa, in the face of growing intercommunal violence, particularly targeting the Fulani. Binta Sidibé Gascon, president of the Kisal Observatory, denounces abuses in Burkina Faso where Fulani populations are accused of collusion with armed groups and subjected to arbitrary arrests, summary executions, and massacres. She even uses the term “ethnic cleansing.” Such violence, perpetuated by impunity, fuels terrorist recruitment and undermines social cohesion. The article stresses that many Fulani are themselves victims of terrorism and that conflating an entire community with extremism deepens the cycle of violence. Two studies are recommended: one on mistrust toward Fulani communities in Côte d’Ivoire, and another on cattle rustling in the Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana border area. The author calls for moving beyond prejudice in order to preserve peaceful coexistence in West Africa.

Cultural identity, Governance, Pastoralism, Conflict, Counter terrorism, Violence, Communautarism, Insécurité, Impunity, Transhumance

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

On August 26, 2025, Senegal’s National Assembly adopted two significant laws: Law No. 13/2025 establishing the status and protection of whistleblowers, and Law No. 14/2025 concerning access to information. These laws aim to strengthen governance, promote transparency, and combat corruption. The whistleblower protection law covers persons who, in good faith, report financial malfeasance or corruption, including their close associates, helpers, or legally affiliated entities, especially when public or private sector corruption or threats to the general interest are involved. Certain types of information remain exempt (medical secrecy, ongoing judicial investigations, etc.). The access to information law guarantees the right for any physical person or legal entity legally resident or established in Senegal to obtain information held by public institutions or other designated bodies, within eight days (extendable to fifteen), with processes that are free or adapted. An independent national commission will oversee implementation, with penalties (500,000 to 10 million FCFA) for unjustified refusals. The article emphasizes that adoption is a milestone, but real governance improvements depend on concrete implementation.

Governance, Information, Transparency, whistleblower

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