The article summarizes the 2020 Annual Report of the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea, with a specific focus on the microfinance sector. By the end of 2020, Guinea had 17 microfinance institutions (MFIs), most of which collect savings, operating through 683 service points and serving over 816,000 clients. The report highlights a significant increase in demand deposits (+47%), reaching GNF 658.2 billion, along with rising borrowings and liquidity levels. Although the outstanding loan portfolio declined slightly (-1%), the sector recorded strong profitability, with a surplus of nearly GNF 5 billion, mainly driven by cooperative and non-deposit-taking MFIs. However, the report also notes a deterioration in certain indicators, particularly non-performing loans. Market concentration remains high, as three institutions dominate deposits and credit portfolios, raising concerns related to financial stability and sector governance.

Governance, Politique publique, Funding

The article examines the major challenges confronting Islamic education in Guinea within a context shaped by persistent economic, social, and political constraints. While Islamic education plays a crucial role in transmitting religious, moral, and cultural values, the study highlights severe limitations related to inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, and a lack of qualified teachers. Curricula remain heavily focused on traditional religious instruction, with limited integration of science, technology, and critical thinking, reducing students’ ability to compete in higher education and the labor market. The research also underscores the institutional marginalization of Islamic education, marked by limited government recognition, weak policy frameworks, gender disparities, and linguistic barriers due to the predominance of Arabic instruction. These factors contribute to the perception of Islamic education as inferior to secular schooling. The authors argue that systemic reforms are urgently needed, including increased public investment, curriculum harmonization, teacher training, and stronger alignment between Islamic education and national development objectives.

Governance, Inequality, Religious education, Education, Politique publique

Guinea’s economic growth has remained strong, averaging 5.1% between 2019 and 2023, driven mainly by the mining and agricultural sectors. However, this growth has not been sufficiently inclusive to significantly reduce poverty, which still affects 52% of the population. Structural weaknesses — including low domestic revenue mobilization, inefficient public spending, limited human capital, infrastructure gaps, and gender disparities — continue to constrain the broader economic impact. Monetary policy was eased in late 2024 and early 2025 to support growth, while fiscal discipline helped contain deficits over recent years, despite a recent increase due to higher public investment. Public debt has risen, particularly through increased reliance on domestic borrowing. Looking ahead, Guinea’s medium-term outlook is positive, largely due to the expected start of iron ore production at the Simandou project, which could drive double-digit growth. Nevertheless, the report stresses that comprehensive reforms are essential to ensure inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic development.

Governance, Politique publique, Funding, Inclusion, Economic growth

The article highlights Guinea-Bissau’s adoption of a blockchain-based platform to improve public payroll management, transparency, and governance. Developed with support from the IMF, Ernst & Young, and financial partners, this digital solution secures payroll and pension data and enables near–real-time tracking of eligibility, budgeting, payment approvals, and salary disbursements. It greatly enhances data integrity and facilitates timely budget reporting for policymakers and the public. Between 2020 and 2024, the payroll-to-revenue ratio fell from 84% to 50%, a notable improvement though still above the WAEMU convergence target of 35%. The project is being expanded across ministries and aims to cover data for more than 34,700 civil servants and retirees. The initiative demonstrates both technological progress and the country’s commitment to strengthening fiscal governance and institutional trust.

Governance, Politique publique, Funding, Transparency

This article evaluates the impact of Senegal’s free health insurance programme for poor households, implemented through the National Family Security Scholarship Programme (PNBSF). Using 2019–2020 data from the rural area of Niakhar, the study assesses whether free enrollment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) improves healthcare utilisation and financial protection. Despite the programme’s intentions, the findings reveal major implementation failures: limited awareness among beneficiaries, unintentional or “virtual” enrollments, weak communication, and structural shortcomings within CBHI schemes. As a result, free insurance did not increase healthcare consultations during illness, antenatal care visits, or protection against catastrophic health expenditures. The only significant positive effect observed was an increase in facility-based deliveries. The authors conclude that the limited impact stems from implementation gaps rather than the concept of free insurance itself, stressing the need for stronger government commitment and measures to reduce barriers to accessing covered services.

Governance, Inequality, Gender, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Health, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Politique publique, Protection

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

This report by ADEA, published by WATHI, reviews how twelve African countries ensured learning continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools closed, governments implemented emergency measures such as radio and TV lessons, and online platforms like Zoom, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp. Despite these efforts, challenges remained—limited infrastructure, unequal access, and insufficient inclusion of vulnerable learners. Some countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and South Africa, developed specific initiatives to reduce educational disparities. The report highlights the importance of investing in distance education, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, and building national expertise to ensure educational resilience during crises.

Governance, Inequality, Education, Politique publique, Santé publique, Inclusion

This WATHI podcast, produced in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland in Senegal, builds on UNESCO’s 2024 Global Report on Teachers and highlights the precarious working conditions faced by teachers in West Africa. Speakers emphasize that low pay, overcrowded classrooms, and lack of psychosocial support weaken the quality of education. Despite some positive reforms salary increases in Côte d’Ivoire, special status for teachers in Burkina Faso, and regularization of educators in Guinea major challenges persist. Experts call for stronger teacher training, transparent management systems, and greater professional recognition. The discussion concludes that investing in teachers’ well-being and professional value is essential for securing the future of education in the region.

Governance, Education, Politique publique