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.   

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Content

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 Ethiopia

MENASource

Mar 17, 2026

A crisis in Egypt could be a warning sign for the global economy 

By Khalid Azim

Market watchers should keep an eye on Egypt as an oil shock could cause financial turmoil.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions

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

AfricaSource

Jan 15, 2026

The US is reengaging with Libya—and it’s the right call

By Rose Keravuori, Maureen Farrell

If the United States seeks stability in the Mediterranean and credible alternatives to Russian energy, now is the time to make coordinated security and economic investments in Libya.

North & West Africa Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2025

To curb violence in Nigeria, the US should offer Abuja carrots, not sticks

By Haleigh Bartos, John Chin, and Julien Derroitte

If the Trump administration wants to help Nigeria address violence and terrorism, it should offer the country incentives, not threaten punitive actions against it.

Conflict Extremism

MENASource

Nov 25, 2025

Mali is at a turning point that risks a ‘disastrous domino effect’

By Haleigh Bartos and John Chin

A JNIM seizure of power, though less likely, is possible—and threatens to turn Mali into Africa’s Afghanistan.

Africa North & West Africa

Issue Brief

Nov 19, 2025

Why Ankara’s rising power in the Sahel could benefit the West

By Alp Ozen, Haley Nelson

Turkey offers a rare channel in the Sahel that the West could use to recalibrate its approach to the region.

Africa Energy & Environment
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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
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