West Africa's resource wealth hampered by political crises

West Africa, a region of 16 countries and about 477 million people, holds vast mineral reserves including gold, uranium, lithium and bauxite. It is the world's second‑largest mineral-producing region after Australia, supplying key strategic commodities.

Despite this potential, the region faces chronic political instability and security challenges. Recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger led to their suspension from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In response, the affected states formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to coordinate defence and broaden cooperation into economic integration and infrastructure.

Analyst Luísa Barbosa Azevedo of the Sub‑Saharan Africa Evaluation Center highlighted that terrorism, climate shocks, disease outbreaks and weak regional integration impede investment and trade. Professor Alexsander Gebara noted that the emergence of the AES signals a reshaping of the region's geopolitical and military landscape, while the decline of French influence adds another layer of complexity.