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

The article “Challenges to Girls’ Education: Menstrual Precarity in Schools,” published by WATHI, examines how difficulties in managing menstruation in school settings significantly hinder girls’ access to education. It highlights that many girls lack the means to purchase sanitary products or do not have access to adequate school sanitation facilities, resulting in absences during menstrual periods—thereby undermining their continuity in schooling and academic performance. The article also emphasizes cultural stigmas and taboos associated with menstruation that further exclude girls from participating fully in school life. To address these barriers, the article recommends implementing awareness programs, ensuring the provision of hygiene facilities in schools, and integrating menstrual issues into education and gender policies.

Gender, Poverty, Women, Health, Hygiène

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

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

The article examines the constitutional referendum held in Guinea on September 21, 2025, by Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya’s junta. While presented as a step toward democracy, the process primarily aims to entrench military power. The draft constitution allows junta members to run for elections, extends the presidential term from five to seven years, and grants the executive significant control over Parliament and electoral management. Opposition parties and civil society are sidelined through suspensions, arrests, and enforced disappearances, while media freedoms are heavily curtailed. Despite Afrobarometer surveys showing strong popular support for democracy and civilian rule, the climate of fear, institutional manipulation, and lack of transparency prevent fair contestation. The article stresses that the referendum continues Guinea’s long history of military and authoritarian governance and warns that it could profoundly affect the country’s political and economic stability in the years to come.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Political Violence, Democracy, Election, Gold, Threat, Transition

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

The article “Education on the Rise, Unemployment in Ambush: The Deadlock of Togolese Youth, Afrobarometer, June 2025” highlights the paradox between increasing educational attainment among young people in Togo and their ongoing struggles to find meaningful employment. While 71% of young Togolese have completed at least secondary education (19% post-secondary), nearly half report being unemployed and actively seeking work. The major barriers cited include inadequate training, insufficient professional experience, mismatch between skills received and market demands, as well as lack of entrepreneurial skills or motivation. Despite government reforms — national volunteer programs, vocational training with alternating models, youth economic initiative funds — the rates of unemployment and underemployment remain high. Moreover, young people express pessimism about the country’s economic trajectory and their living conditions. Civic and political engagement among youth remains modest compared to older generations.

Governance, Education, Youth, Unemployment, Entrepreneurship, Training