North and West Africa

North and West Africa

North and West Africa encompasses a geographically diverse expanse from Morocco to Nigeria, and from the Sahel to the Atlantic coast. The region is home to renowned African civilizations while indelibly tied to Arab empires and European colonization. Countries in the region have pursued new cooperation economically and in counterterrorism efforts. Security remains a burden for many, but the region has also produced some of Africa’s most compelling democratic success stories in recent years.   

Explore

Content

Podcast

Aug 28, 2026

Satan’s Chariot: Mercenary Trouble in Mali

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 17 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats to Wassim Nasr, the veteran French journalist for France24 and Senior Fellow at the Soufan Center. Wassim talks us through the spectacular April 25th offensive across Mali by JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate that looks set to soon make a play to take over the whole country.

Africa Middle East

AfricaSource

Aug 10, 2026

How to push back against Mali’s propagandists? Help factual creators go viral.

By Tom Bonsundy-O’Bryan

Mali’s information space is now dominated by livestreaming “videomen” pushing misinformation. The West needs to respond by funding fact-based creators.

Africa Disinformation

MENASource

Jun 30, 2026

Algeria’s financial reforms are showing progress. Washington should take note.

By Frank Talbot

The Financial Action Task Force recently removed Algeria from its grey list. Here's how the US can strengthen ties as a result.

Economy & Business Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade

Dispatches

Jun 22, 2026

The Ankara summit is an opportunity for NATO to ramp up engagement with its southern neighborhood

By Jason Davidson, Matt Trunkey

The Alliance can use the upcoming summit in Turkey to advance four policies that will help it increase its security along its south.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

AfricaSource

May 1, 2026

What can save Mali from collapse?

By Hussein Ba and Rama Yade

The security situation in Mali is becoming critical in the wake of a large-scale, coordinated series of attacks across multiple cities on April 25.

Extremism North & West Africa

MENASource

Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa Egypt

AfricaSource

Feb 24, 2026

In Guinea, the US has a rare opportunity to gain an edge over China

By Rose Keravuori, Maureen Farrell

Guinea’s democratic transition and mineral riches put it center stage in US-China competition. The United States now has a rare chance to align investment, security, and governance to secure strategic influence in West Africa.

Critical Minerals North & West Africa

AfricaSource

Feb 23, 2026

The Sahel’s most acute crisis is unfolding in Burkina Faso

By Jordanna Yochai

While Mali draws headlines, Burkina Faso has become the Sahel’s true epicenter of extremist violence. As insecurity spreads, President Ibrahim Traoré has tightened his grip on power—

English Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Feb 19, 2026

As Russian battlefield losses mount, Putin is turning to Africa for soldiers

By Katherine Spencer

Russia’s growing reliance on African recruits to continue the war in Ukraine is a powerful symbol of an invasion that has gone horribly wrong for Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin, writes Katherine Spencer.

Africa Conflict

AfricaSource

Feb 4, 2026

The United States and Nigeria must rebuild their engagement architecture for a new global era

By Gbemisola Abudu

The diplomatic tools currently available to the United States and Nigeria are intended for episodic and sector-specific engagement, holding back the relationship's potential.

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business
Ebenezer Arthur

Climate Leadership Program participant

Ebenezer Arthur

2023 Climate Leadership Program Participant

Millennium Leadership Program

North & West Africa

Millennium fellow

Chime Asonye

Founder, Nigerian Mental Health

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society North & West Africa

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia
Load More