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 “The Return of Afro-descendants to Africa: A Bridge Between History and Development Today” explores recent legal and symbolic movements that encourage the return of people of African descent, framing it as a way to harness memory, identity, and development. The case of Benin is highlighted: a law enacted in September 2024 allows adults proving their Sub-Saharan African ancestry (by genealogical documents or DNA test) to apply for Beninese nationality for a fee of USD 100. Ghana is also discussed, with its “Year of Return” initiative (2019) and policies around citizenship and residence rights for diaspora members. The article also addresses tensions arising from these returns: rising prices, economic disparities, land conflicts with local populations, and the risk of memorialization being instrumentalized. It suggests that more thoughtful policies — combining historical recognition, cultural diplomacy, and economic opportunity — could transform these returns into a genuine bridge between heritage and progress.

Governance, Migration, Diaspora, Pan-Africanism, Nationality

The article “A Growing Divergence of Narratives around Security in Burkina Faso” examines the communication strategy of the military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré since the September 2022 coup. While the regime portrays itself as regaining territory, fostering economic innovation, and protecting civilians, evidence points to a worsening reality: nearly 18,000 deaths linked to jihadist violence in three years, an 87% rise in civilian casualties, and loss of control over 70% of national territory. The economy has suffered from collapsing gold and cotton production and a sharp decline in foreign investment. The humanitarian crisis is escalating, with millions displaced, thousands of schools and health centers shut down, and multiple simultaneous epidemics. The article highlights the growing gap between official narratives and empirical realities, amplified by disinformation campaigns orchestrated with Russian support. This divergence poses serious challenges for governance, regional stability, and democratic principles.

Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Education, Gold, Human security, Influence, Violence, Threat, Information

The article provides a nuanced overview of Senegalese youth (ages 18–35): they are better educated than older generations (55 % have secondary or post-secondary education vs. 21–36 %) yet more likely to be unemployed (41 % actively seeking employment vs. 22–36 %) . Key barriers to employment include inadequate training (35 %), reluctance to take certain jobs (24 %), and mismatch between academic qualifications and market demands (16 %) . Nonetheless, 74 % aspire to start their own business, and 17 % prefer public sector jobs . Their top public policy priorities are rising cost of living, health, unemployment, insecurity, and water access . Despite challenges, 71 % believe the country is heading in the right direction, and 60 % have considered emigrating for economic reasons

Governance, Migration, Education, Youth, Health, EMPLOYMENT, Insécurité, Politique publique

The article discusses the challenge of financing mass and quality education in West Africa. It begins by noting the region’s low education budget—around 4% of GDP compared to the international benchmark of 6%. The area's rapid population growth increases pressure on resources, making financial challenges even more pressing. In a virtual dialogue held in May 2024, organized by WATHI in partnership with the Irish Embassy in Senegal, participants examined the current state of education funding, the impact of demographic growth on education quality, and identified several recommendations. This “QUICK” type article is intended to stimulate public debate and inform policy decisions by presenting key insights and action pathways to ensure quality education access for all in the region.

Governance, Education, Démographie, Funding

This briefing addresses information integrity challenges in West Africa and proposes a context-appropriate policy framework. It reviews international, continental, and regional policy instruments, identifying gaps in digital governance. Aligned with UNESCO’s guidelines, the paper outlines minimum requirements for platform governance, particularly during elections or crises. The framework aims to promote responsible governance, build social cohesion, and safeguard democratic processes. It emphasizes the need to effectively counter misinformation, hate speech, and elevate access to reliable information as a public good. The briefing targets policymakers, regulators, civil society, journalists, and researchers working to protect digital rights and reinforce information integrity across the region.

Governance, Information, Social cohesion, Disinformation

This article examines the use of artificial intelligence techniques to predict interstate armed conflicts in West Africa. Using a comprehensive dataset spanning 1981–2018 and covering 16 countries in the region, the authors tested three machine learning models: random forest, logistic regression, and decision tree. Findings indicate that the random forest model performs best (98% accuracy, 83% recall). The most relevant predictors of conflict are differences in democracy levels and shared borders, while military expenditures prove less influential. The study highlights elevated risks for certain dyads, such as Guinea–Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast–Burkina Faso. By demonstrating the effectiveness of predictive models, this research contributes to the development of early warning systems for conflict prevention. However, it also stresses the limitations due to data imbalance and the need for continuous updates to enhance forecasting accuracy.

State, Security, Peace, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Intelligence artificielle

The article “Climate adaptation of millet and sorghum varieties in North‑Eastern Senegal: cross‑referencing rainfall, thermal and phenological parameters” evaluates the performance of several millet (Souna 3, ICTP 8203, GB 8735, Gawane, Chakti) and sorghum (CE 180‑33, Payenne, Golobé) varieties under local climatic constraints—rainfall deficits and thermal stress—in three study zones: Podor, Matam, and Linguère. Analysis of long-term precipitation and temperature data shows a clear decline in rainfall since the 1970s alongside increased thermal constraints. Millet Chakti and ICTP 8203 emerge as notably adapted to eastern and western areas, with suitability above 80% during the periods studied, whereas none of the varieties adapts well to the northern zone. Farmers also point to livestock roaming, bird pests, and parasitic infestations as contributing to reduced yields. The study emphasizes the urgent need to promote better-adapted varieties and enhance crop protection measures.

Agriculture, Climate change, Environment