The article titled “Expertise, Pragmatism and Kindness at the Service of Female Entrepreneurship: The Experience of the Women Investment Club (in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire)”, published by WATHI Think Tank on August 10, 2025, recounts the creation of the Women Investment Club (WIC). Founded in 2015 by prominent women including Madjiguène Sock, Thiaba Camara Sy, Seynabou Seck, and the late Alassane Athia Wade, WIC aimed to foster a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs by providing access to capital and skills. Officially launched in 2016 with an initial investment of 250 million CFA francs, WIC today mobilizes approximately 1.5 billion CFA francs in Senegal and comprises 105 members; in Côte d’Ivoire, it brings together 65 women. In 2019, WIC established WIC Capital, an investment fund dedicated to female-led enterprises, and in 2020, WIC Academy was launched to provide training and mentorship. The initiative exemplifies a rigorous, pragmatic, and kind approach to narrowing gender finance gaps.

Governance, Women, Entrepreneurship, Inclusion, Training

The video article titled “The government should develop a relevant research program for Niger...” features Dr Yaye Aissatou Dramé, Director of Research at Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey, and was published by WATHI Think Tank on August 10, 2025 . As a scholar known for her expertise in agro-food systems, agroforestry, and natural resource management, she advocates for a tailored national research program that addresses Niger’s specific challenges . Such a program, she argues, would enhance the country’s ability to tackle issues related to sustainable development, food security, and resource management by leveraging local researchers and aligning with national priorities

Governance, Agriculture, Natural ressources, Researh, Sustainable development

The article “Assessing the Impact of Climate Extreme Events and Conflicts on Internal Displacement in Burkina Faso”, published in January 2025 in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, explores the dynamic links between climate extremes (floods, storms, droughts), conflicts (violent and non-violent, protests), and internal displacement in Burkina Faso from 2018 to 2022 . Findings reveal that in the short term, violent conflicts, demonstrations, and storms are associated with increased internal displacement. In the long term, only violent conflicts and storms remain significantly linked to displacement, while floods show no significant impact and the effect of demonstrations diminishes over time . The study underlines the need for effective conflict management and climate adaptation strategies to mitigate forced displacement.

Migration, Climate change, Security, Conflict

In 2023, Insecurity Insight documented 22 arson attacks on schools in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, with a sharp increase in Niger (1 in 2022 vs 11 in 2023). Most incidents, attributed to JNIM and ISSP, target “Western” education and aim to intimidate teachers and communities, leading to destroyed facilities, prolonged closures, and lasting fear. These attacks undermine access to education, worsen inequalities, and erode social cohesion. The report calls for integrated actions: community awareness campaigns, fire-resistant school infrastructure, emergency plans, coordinated rapid responses, psychological support, and post-attack reconstruction. It also urges humanitarian diplomacy and engagement with armed actors to protect schools and depoliticize education.

Governance, Security, Education

The Bridging Distances report (NRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, January 2025) examines distance learning solutions in the Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) amid insecurity, mass displacement, and weak educational infrastructure. Four main approaches are identified: no-tech (printed materials), low-tech (radio, SMS, basic phones), digital (online platforms, offline Wi-Fi devices), and hybrid models combining several methods. Each modality has strengths and weaknesses, with hybrid approaches proving most resilient. Success factors include adapting to local contexts, teacher training, community involvement, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable funding. Recommendations emphasize inclusion (girls, displaced children, children with disabilities), infrastructure investment, resource-sharing, and integrating psychosocial support. Distance learning is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a set of complementary tools that must be adapted to learners’ needs.

Governance, Education, Numérique

West Africa confronts profound challenges — climate change, demographic pressure, rapid urbanization, technological shifts — amid persistent vulnerabilities but also significant opportunities. This op-ed by Marie-Noël Maffon, published on July 31, 2025 in WATHI’s Tribune section, advocates for an “African compass for transitions,” rooted in endogenous transformation. It emphasizes building resilience, investing in human capital, and advancing economic sovereignty, with youth and local knowledge as drivers of inclusive governance. The article highlights the severe impact of climate — floods, droughts, agricultural losses — threatening food security and livelihoods. Water-related tensions, particularly in the Lake Chad basin and Niger River valley, underscore the heightened risk of conflict. The most vulnerable — women, children, small-scale farmers, indigenous populations — are bearing the brunt of this multidimensional crisis.

Sovereignty, Youth, Transition, Inclusion

In June 2025, Action Against Hunger (ACF) released a monitoring bulletin on micro-enterprises in Bassikounou, Mauritania, as part of its economic resilience program. The study assessed 50 ACF-supported micro-enterprises, mainly operating in retail trade, catering, and services. Findings indicate an average 18% increase in turnover since the previous assessment, despite ongoing challenges such as supply chain issues, rising prices, and limited product diversification. Most beneficiaries are women (72%), who report improved income and autonomy. However, reliance on local markets and low savings capacity continue to hinder the sustainability of these businesses. The report recommends strengthening management training, diversifying business sectors, and improving access to credit.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Civil Society, Funding

The April 2025 policy brief by Africa Education Watch, authored by Kofi Asare, reviews Ghana’s basic education infrastructure. Despite significant enrolment growth since 2001, about 1 million children remain out of school, including 400,000 dropouts. Key deficits include school buildings, furniture (40% of pupils lacked desks in 2021, rising to 80% in some regions), electricity, and digital infrastructure (only 2% of basic schools in deprived districts have functional ICT facilities). To meet SDG 4 targets by 2030, Ghana needs around 2,000 fully furnished basic schools, 3,600 junior high schools, 508 kindergartens, to replace 5,300 makeshift schools, and supply 800,000 desks. Estimated cost: USD 2 billion. Budgetary constraints and declining donor support necessitate innovative financing, climate-resilient building technologies, community-led furniture initiatives, and targeted interventions for underserved communities.

Governance, Inequality, Education, Infrastructures scolaires, Funding

The Bi-monthly Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for the Sahel (No. 32, April–May 2025) reports a lean season marked by a sharp decline in forage resources and the drying up of temporary surface water. Livestock movements are generally limited but include mass departures or arrivals, often driven by insecurity. Localized resource availability leads to high livestock concentrations, deterioration in animal body condition, and suspected disease outbreaks (botulism, peste des petits ruminants, vitamin deficiencies). Cereal and livestock prices are rising, with terms of trade unfavorable to herders. Cattle theft remains an issue, especially in high-density zones and in the Gao region. Conditions vary by country, with pastoral resources sometimes sufficient (Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire) but often deficient (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal), creating both economic and animal health challenges.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Information, Insécurité