The article “Le droit à la santé en Côte d’Ivoire” analyzes the evolution of the country’s health system between 2017 and 2023. Significant progress has been made in expanding health infrastructure, training personnel and strengthening political commitment. However, financing remains inadequate: only 6% of the national budget is allocated to health, far below the WHO recommendation of 15%. Heavy dependence on international partners creates fragility and undermines sustainability. Territorial inequalities persist, with rural regions facing shortages of doctors, medical supplies, and functional facilities. The Universal Health Coverage (CMU) initiative represents progress, but its implementation is still limited. Vulnerable groups—women, children, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence—face the greatest barriers. The report calls for stronger public investment, improved governance, better territorial equity, and enhanced mechanisms for addressing gender-based violence.

Governance, Inequality, Santé publique, Funding

The article “Strengthened governance to boost responsible investment in agriculture and food systems” explains how Liberia and Sierra Leone are working to improve the quality and effectiveness of agricultural investments, which are vital for reducing poverty and hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified vulnerabilities, increasing the need for substantial agricultural funding to achieve the first two SDGs. Ensuring that investments generate positive social, economic, and environmental impacts is crucial. The FAO supports governments, civil society, and private-sector actors in applying the CFS-RAI Principles, improving governance mechanisms, harmonizing policies, reforming crop compensation systems, and establishing multi-stakeholder platforms for inclusive decision-making. The initiatives include capacity building for local actors, aligning screening tools for investment approval, and fostering a shared national vision for responsible agricultural development. The goal is to create better-coordinated, more transparent, and more equitable investment environments.

Governance, Agriculture, Food security, Funding

This article examines the economic outlook for Guinea‑Bissau within the framework of the global financial architecture reform spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). It projects GDP growth of 4.7 % for 2024 and 5.2 % for 2025, driven by major public investment, especially in infrastructure, and improved business climate. Inflation is expected to decline to 5.4 % in 2024 and 3.2 % in 2025, thanks to tighter monetary policy by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) and a rebound in agricultural output. The report also highlights structural constraints tied to historical political instability and low long-term growth (~2.9 %) before the pandemic. Finally, it emphasizes the critical role of institutional reforms, capacity building and the country’s integration into multilateral finance mechanisms to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.

Governance, Réforme, Politique publique, Funding

This OECD publication examines the financing of social protection in Senegal, focusing on social assistance, contributory schemes and the informal sector’s contribution. It finds that public social protection spending is very low and that fewer than one in four Senegalese benefit from a protection programme. The report explores three main funding sources: general taxation (broadening tax base, health-harmful product taxes), social contributions (narrow base and governance issues) and mobilising the informal workforce (via formalisation and contribution). It offers recommendations to expand fiscal space, improve data systems, establish more effective governance (including through the future Universal Social Protection Fund — CAPSU) and combat social contribution evasion.

Governance, Politique publique, Protection, Funding

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

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

This bulletin, published by Action Against Hunger (ACF) in May 2025, presents monitoring data from 64 microenterprises supported in Bassikounou, Mauritania. The report highlights the continued economic vulnerability of households, despite support for income-generating activities (IGAs). Average monthly income remains low (27,540 MRU) and unstable, particularly for women (22,250 MRU). Households face heavy expenses for health, food, and education, with limited savings capacity and weak income diversification. The report also notes the negative impact of climate shocks on economic activities. While beneficiaries acknowledge positive effects from the program, their prospects remain precarious without structural support, enhanced market access, training, and financing opportunities.

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

In this video interview, Zounon Félix, a research officer at Niger’s National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRAN, Maradi center), explains how his institute relies on its own resources to conduct agricultural experiments. He outlines INRAN’s history, founded in 1975 and gaining public institutional status in 2010, with four regional centers (Niamey, Kollo, Tahoua, Maradi). Although the infrastructure is in good condition, the institute lacks scientific equipment, communications gear, and office supplies. Félix details its five research departments—irrigated and rainfed crops, animal production, natural resource management, and rural social sciences. He emphasizes INRAN’s enhanced autonomy and its ability to maintain programs despite limited external funding, through local engagement and self-financing efforts.

Governance, Agriculture, Knowlege production, Funding, Scientific research