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 Mali Lean Season Note 2025 by Action Against Hunger (ACF) highlights worsening food and nutritional vulnerabilities due to conflict, climate shocks, and displaced populations. In 2025, over 1.5 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity, worsened by cuts in humanitarian funding (notably from USAID and UNICEF). The closure of over 400 school canteens threatens child nutrition and education. ACF documents positive impacts of its interventions (reaching 234,000 individuals), including improved food consumption, dietary diversity, and reduced negative coping strategies. However, persistent insecurity hinders humanitarian access and disrupts health services, especially in northern regions. ACF advocates for an integrated and community-centered response grounded in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. It emphasizes the need to strengthen local systems, involve civil society in planning, and ensure coordinated advocacy to secure sustainable financing and equitable assistance delivery.

Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Family, Food security, Gold, Human security, Social, Health, Insécurité, Malnutrition, Crise humanitaire

This study, conducted by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in collaboration with Promediation, analyzes the evolution of the jihadist threat in northern Ghana and Togo. It highlights the expansion of terrorist groups towards the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, facilitated by the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali. The study examines the varying levels of threat in these West African countries and emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental approaches to counter jihadist terrorism. It is based on field research conducted by local teams and Promediation consultants in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Jihad, Cooperation, International cooperation

This study, conducted by the Regional Programme Political Dialogue in West Africa (PDWA) of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in collaboration with Promediation, analyzes the expansion of jihadist groups from the Sahel into the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea. Originating from Burkina Faso, where certain regions are beyond state control, these groups are moving southward, utilizing border national parks as strategic retreat areas and sources of funding. The study emphasizes the urgency for coastal countries to strengthen regional cooperation and implement tailored strategies to contain this growing threat.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Jihad, Threat

This OSAR report, published on March 31, 2025, provides a critical overview of access to mental health care in Burkina Faso. Despite a high prevalence of mental disorders (over 33% of the population), care availability remains extremely limited, with just around ten psychiatrists nationwide—mostly in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Social stigma, lack of legal protection, insufficient qualified staff, and high treatment costs severely restrict access. Psychotropic medications such as sertraline and quetiapine are available but not covered, requiring out-of-pocket payments. NGOs partially bridge state gaps by offering psychosocial support and mobile clinics. The report highlights the need for post-traumatic support, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and calls for urgent investment in public mental health services. It stresses the importance of legal frameworks, workforce training, and destigmatization campaigns to improve care access and outcomes.

Security, Déplacement forcé, Santé mentale, Accessibility

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 report provides a critical assessment of the state of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and governance in West Africa. It highlights three interlinked crises: security, institutional, and health-related. Despite the presence of political pluralism, the region is witnessing growing authoritarianism, the persistence of third-term presidencies, and the erosion of institutions. Dysfunctional regulatory mechanisms are fueling political unrest, violations of fundamental rights, and contested elections. Based on country-level analyses, the report recommends strengthening the role of regional organizations, civil society, and African democratic norms. The aim is to alert decision-makers and social actors to the urgent need to rebuild a substantive and inclusive democracy in the face of current threats.

Governance, Democracy, Human Rights

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

Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, this report highlights the continued marginalization of African women with disabilities in public policy and feminist movements. Despite legal frameworks like the CRPD and the African Disability Protocol, implementation remains weak. Based on consultations with 244 women across 23 countries, the report reveals deep-rooted, intersectional discrimination: extreme poverty, specific forms of gender-based violence, political underrepresentation, economic exclusion, and barriers to healthcare and education. Most policies lack an intersectional lens and disaggregated data, limiting effective action. This participatory report calls for the recognition of disabled women as change-makers and provides concrete recommendations for their full inclusion. It emphasizes the urgency of integrating their voices in decision-making spaces to achieve genuine gender equality.

Health, Violence, Discrimination, Inclusive education, Inclusion, Socio-economic integration