In recent years, West Africa has become a focal point of escalating security threats that are increasingly complex and interconnected. Among the most pressing challenges are the growing presence and operations of terrorist groups, the proliferation of organized transnational crime, and the profound geopolitical changes unfolding across the region. This research seeks to examine the evolving security dynamics in West Africa by analyzing the convergence of these threats and the broader implications for regional stability and international security. The rise of violent extremist organizations such as Boko Haram, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and al-Qaeda affiliated groups has destabilized large parts of countries like Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These groups have exploited weak governance, ungoverned spaces, and socio-economic grievances to expand their influence, recruit fighters, and carry out deadly attacks. Simultaneously, organized criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal mining, and human trafficking have flourished in the same fragile environments. Often, these networks intersect or collaborate with terrorist actors, creating a hybrid threat that blurs the line between ideological violence and profit-driven crime. At the same time, the region is experiencing significant geopolitical shifts. The withdrawal or downsizing of international forces such as France’s Operation Barkhane and the UN’s MINUSMA mission in Mali, coupled with the rise of military coups and authoritarian regimes, has altered the traditional security architecture. Alliances are shifting, with some countries turning towards non-Western powers like Russia for military support, further complicating regional diplomacy and coordination. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces internal divisions and challenges in enforcing collective security mechanisms. This research will explore how these geopolitical transformations are reshaping the security environment in West Africa, with a particular focus on how power vacuums, weakened multilateral institutions, and contested political transitions have enabled both terrorism and organized crime to flourish. The study will also assess the effectiveness of regional responses, such as the G5 Sahel Joint Force, and the role of international actors in supporting security, development, and governance reforms. By examining the intersection between terrorism, transnational crime, and geopolitical change, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the emerging threats facing West Africa. It will also propose policy recommendations to strengthen regional security cooperation, enhance state resilience, and support long-term peacebuilding initiatives in one of the world’s most volatile yet strategically important regions.
