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

The article highlights that the quality of education in West Africa is largely dependent on teachers’ skills and commitment, yet significant gaps remain in both initial and ongoing training tailored to local contexts. It points out that while corporal punishment has been banned in some countries such as Benin, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, this legal change has often not been paired with effective pedagogical tools and disciplinary strategies for teachers. Current training schemes frequently fail to align with classroom realities and student needs. The piece calls for comprehensive reform: modernization of teacher training curricula, stronger practical training, responsiveness to social and pedagogical changes, and an improvement in teachers’ working conditions. It urges policymakers, trainers and education systems to act so that teacher training becomes a real lever for transformative education.

Governance, Education, Réforme

The article analyzes the pressures and challenges facing Côte d’Ivoire’s security sector in the post-conflict period, tracing the transition from state withdrawal toward renewed state control over security. It points out that while the “return of the State” was prioritized, the Security Sector Reform (SSR) reflects a significant gap between formal policies and real practices, since power dynamics continue to shape outcomes. The 2017 mutinies (in January and May) served as a catalyst for accelerated reforms, but questions remain about their sustainability. The army continues to be affected by extractive practices, militaro-economic networks, and insubordination, particularly among integrated ex-rebels. The article argues for viewing reforms politically rather than purely technically, stressing the need to build trust with communities, strengthen civil oversight, and responsibly integrate former combatants into institutional frameworks.

Governance, Security, Institution, Réforme, Groupes armés

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

This panel, organized by Afrikajom Center in Dakar, brought together intellectuals, researchers, and civil society actors to examine the resurgence of military coups in West Africa. Discussions highlighted the failure of democratic transitions, the decline of the Baule model, widespread corruption, constitutional manipulation, and the perceived illegitimacy of ECOWAS. Speakers, including Gilles Yabi, Ndioro Ndiaye, and Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed the importance of military ethics, geopolitical shifts, and the weakening of rule of law and political representation. The debate underscored citizens’ growing support for military takeovers in contexts where civilian governments fail. Recommendations emphasized the need for endogenous reforms, strict term limits, strengthened democratic institutions, and the inclusion of civil society in regional governance frameworks. The event concluded with a call for bold, culturally rooted actions to address West Africa’s democratic and security crises.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Réforme, Coup d'État

In this interview, Dr. Oumoul Khairy Coulibaly Tandiang, a researcher at the École Supérieure d’Économie Appliquée (ESEA), emphasizes that Senegal's priority is to address social, economic, and territorial inequalities. She highlights the urgent need for reforms, particularly revising the Family Code to eliminate discriminatory articles against women, such as those concerning paternity recognition and child marriage. She also stresses the importance of improving women's access to land, noting their significant role in agricultural production. Furthermore, she discusses migration issues, advocating for approaches grounded in African realities rather than Western perceptions. Finally, she calls for better distribution of public services, reduction in the cost of living, and improved road safety to ensure collective well-being.

Migration, Inequality, Women, REAL ESTATE, Réforme, Services publics

The report titled "Security Sector Reform and Governance in Senegal," written by Colonel Babacar Diouf and published by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) on January 22, 2024, examines the historical evolution and current state of Security Sector Governance (SSG) in Senegal. It analyzes key components of the sector, including the Army, Gendarmerie, Police, Special Forces, Intelligence Services, and the Penitentiary Sector. The article highlights major reforms undertaken since independence to strengthen the capacities of the armed forces and underscores contemporary challenges the country faces in terms of security.

Governance, Security, Réforme

Despite improvements in certain indicators, the Nigerien healthcare system remains precarious and dominated by a logic of "inhospitable medicine." This fragility is largely explained by the predominance of intervention mechanisms and public policies largely dictated and funded by international donors, often far removed from local dynamics and the operational realities of healthcare services. However, in this constrained context, certain structures stand out for the quality of the care they provide. They are unique in that they are led by committed local actors, true "shadow reformers," who design pragmatic and contextually adapted solutions to daily dysfunctions. Based on an ethnographic investigation, this article examines the logics of innovation at work in these marginal spaces of transformation. Drawing on operational research, it argues for recognition and increased support for these bottom-up reform dynamics, which are likely to constitute a credible alternative – or at least a necessary complement – ​​to conventional approaches to improving health systems.

Politics, Governance, Public Administration, Health, Réforme, Politique publique

This report analyzes Burkina Faso’s security apparatus in the wake of the 2014 uprising and President Compaoré's fall. It highlights structural weaknesses in defense and security forces, the divisive role of the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP), the rise of terrorism, and the emergence of self-defense groups (Kogl-wéogo). The study details issues such as lack of coordination, inadequate equipment and training, and politicization of the military. It also reviews reform efforts, including the dissolution of the RSP, the creation of a national intelligence agency, and civil society's demands for a depoliticized, professional military. The authors advocate for a republican army, aligned with democratic principles and separated from political power.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Terrorism, Gold, Military activity, Human security, Réforme