This article examines China's growing presence in the Sahel, focusing on Niger and Chad. Despite security challenges, including threats from Boko Haram and porous borders, China has increased its economic investments in these countries. Key sectors include energy, mining, and infrastructure, with significant projects in road construction, bridges, and thermal power plants. Since 2014, China has become Niger's leading supplier. However, China's involvement remains primarily economic, with limited engagement in security matters, unlike France and the United States, which maintain substantial military presence in the region. The article also highlights concerns about economic dependency and the need for Sahelian countries to diversify their partnerships.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, International cooperation

This report investigates youth agripreneurs in Benin, Ethiopia, and Senegal based on a survey of 634 individuals aged 15–35. It highlights the diversity of food-related enterprises, with most youth engaged in farming, processing, or retail. These are typically micro-businesses with modest turnover but significant employment potential. Half of the youth entered agribusiness by choice, and opportunity-driven entrepreneurs outperform those driven by necessity. Access to finance is the most common constraint, while public policy support—especially in training and market access—is widely sought. The study emphasizes the need for differentiated support policies and reaffirms agriculture as an attractive sector for youth. Although many gained skills through informal means, demand for practical training is high. Use of innovation and technology remains low, pointing to a gap between youth aspirations and structural support.

Agriculture, Economic Development, Religious education, Education, Youth, Development, Food security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

This April 2025 policy brief by the Gorée Institute, in collaboration with ETTG, explores the deep interconnections between development and security in the Sahel. Based on a workshop held in Gorée, African and European experts emphasized how geopolitical fragmentation, poverty, climate change, and social exclusion fuel instability. The brief criticizes the EU’s approach as being overly driven by its own priorities (energy, migration) and calls for a paradigm shift towards more balanced partnerships. It highlights the need to integrate gender, youth, and local cohesion dimensions, including traditional and religious authorities. The EU is urged to invest in public services, inclusive governance, and sustainable local dialogues rather than relying on militarized approaches. The brief advocates for gradual re-engagement, including with the AES, to address Sahelian challenges in a structural and coordinated manner.

Politics, Political party, State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Mediation, Development, Gold, Human security

This ACF monitoring bulletin presents the progress of 56 micro-enterprises supported in Bassikounou, Mauritania, under a UNHCR-funded project. Despite a fragile economic context, some positive trends are observed: improved debt repayment (88%), increased use of personal savings, and emerging financial diversification. Agriculture, livestock, and general trade prove most profitable, while solar energy remains the most vulnerable sector. However, major challenges persist: reliance on humanitarian aid, limited access to formal financing, poor business structuring, rising input costs, and client indebtedness. ACF recommends reinforced support (training, management tools, formalization, access to credit) to ensure long-term sustainability. The strong involvement of women and the growing use of community-based solutions (tontines, AVECs) are encouraging signs of economic resilience and adaptation.

Agriculture, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Funding

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Mauritania for February-March 2025 reports an overall satisfactory situation despite a decline in pastoral resources due to bushfires and increased livestock pressure, particularly in Hodh Chargui. Grazing resources remain generally available, and livestock body condition is good. However, suspected outbreaks of animal diseases, including peste des petits ruminants and foot-and-mouth disease, are reported. The bulletin also highlights the ongoing arrival of Malian refugees, increasing strain on resources and infrastructure. Market assessments show variable commodity prices, with unfavorable terms of trade for herders in certain areas. Support actions such as livestock e-tagging have been implemented. Recommendations emphasize strengthening resilience, improving animal health awareness, and mitigating potential conflicts in agropastoral zones.

State, Economic Development, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Information, Marché

This article from Global Africa Sciences analyzes the legal challenges of Africa’s digital economy. It highlights the transformative impact of digital technologies and emphasizes the need for coherent legal and regulatory frameworks. Key challenges include data governance, cybersecurity, payment system interoperability, and user rights protection. Despite frameworks like the Malabo Convention and African Union digital strategies, implementation remains slow due to fragmented jurisdictions and limited enforcement capacity. The article advocates for a “third way” of regulation that combines legal rigor (hard power) with flexible experimentation (soft power), including the use of regulatory sandboxes. This hybrid approach aims to develop a sustainable, inclusive, and sovereign African digital economy aligned with local needs and global standards.

Governance, Economic Development, Numérique, Cybersecurity

The February 2025 monitoring report covers 56 micro-enterprises supported in Bassikounou, Mauritania, under a project funded by UNHCR. These enterprises span six sectors including agriculture, livestock, and general trade. Despite a fragile economic environment, there is a slight improvement in savings and investment. However, access to financing remains limited due to the lack of tailored financial structures. Entrepreneurs face several challenges such as client debt, high input costs, and poor adoption of management tools. Most businesses report the ability to meet their debts, reflecting a degree of economic resilience. NGOs and local institutions play a crucial role in technical support and financial inclusion. Nevertheless, the sustainability of these businesses depends on more strategic, long-term financing options.

Agriculture, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Funding

The report “Climate Change, Development and Security in the Central Sahel”, published in June 2021, explores how climate change impacts development and security in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. It highlights the links between climate stress, food insecurity, human mobility, and conflict. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, inequality, armed group proliferation, and social tensions. The study argues that current responses, often overly focused on militarised security, fail to address local realities. Instead, it recommends integrated and context-sensitive strategies to enhance resilience. These include supporting sustainable livelihoods, acknowledging mobility as a coping mechanism, and reinforcing local conflict-resolution systems. The report also advocates for more coherent European and international policies that align climate adaptation with peacebuilding and development goals.

Economic Development, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Food security, Human security, Threat, Knowlege production

Pastoralism plays a vital role in West and Central Africa, contributing to food security and biodiversity conservation. However, this way of life is threatened by climate change, land degradation, and socio-political conflicts. Action Against Hunger (ACF) has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities, including improving access to water and pasture, promoting sustainable practices, and establishing early warning systems. Regional and national policies support pastoralism through infrastructure, regulations promoting transhumance, and climate adaptation programs. However, challenges persist, including agricultural expansion, land privatization, resource conflicts, and widespread insecurity. A coordinated approach and concerted action are needed to preserve this essential way of life.

Economic Development, Livestock, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production