West Africa News Agency - Agence de Presse Ouest-Africaine Skip to content

West Africa News Agency

Agence de Presse Ouest-Africaine

West Africa News Agency

Agence de Presse Ouest-Africaine

West Africa News Agency

Search news

Type to search stories, topics and pages.
Latest

Latest stories

Business & Economy

Beyond Delays: Sky Mali’s Service Crisis and the Fight for Passenger Dignity in Northern Mali

By Kabir Isa

The Regional Workers' Union of Gao has issued a formal condemnation of Sky Mali, citing a systemic failure in domestic air service that undermines passenger rights and regional mobility. Key grievances include chronic flight cancellations due to fuel shortages, lost baggage, last-minute schedule changes without compensation, and poor customer assistance, causing significant professional and financial harm to travelers. The union highlights a critical contradiction: passengers suffer service disruptions without redress while being charged extra for voluntary itinerary changes, eroding trust in a national carrier expected to

West African Politics

Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Party Discipline, Procedure, and the Realities of Internal APC Politics in Ogun State

By Kabir Isa

A senior political figure refutes claims of persecution within Ogun State's APC, framing a recent controversy as a routine enforcement of meeting accreditation rules, not targeted exclusion. He argues that internal disagreements and procedural discipline are normal for a democratic party, as evidenced by its unified electoral success. The commentary advises that influence should be wielded through statesmanlike guidance rather than public confrontation, commending the governor's leadership for maintaining cohesion. Ultimately, the core insight is that portraying standard party protocols as victimization is

Defense and Security

Beyond the Headline: The Systemic Crisis of Monarch Abductions and Ransom in Nigeria

By Kabir Isa

A high-ranking official was abducted from his residence, with intelligence indicating he is currently held in a remote forest area. This incident underscores a severe and escalating threat to political stability and personal security for state-level leadership. It reveals a critical vulnerability in protective security measures for high-profile figures, even within their own compounds. The situation demands an immediate, strategic response focused on both tactical recovery and a fundamental reassessment of executive protection protocols.

Defense and Security

NDLEA Strikes Major Blow: Court Orders Forfeiture of N33.6 Billion in Opioids at Onne Port

By Kabir Isa

The NDLEA has achieved a major strategic victory by securing a court order to forfeit N33.6 billion worth of seized opioids, directly targeting the financial core of international drug cartels. This action, involving 17 containers of illicit pharmaceuticals intercepted over months, demonstrates a shift from mere seizure to asset deprivation, crippling the syndicates' operational funding. The agency's success underscores the critical, synergistic partnership between vigilant law enforcement and a responsive judiciary in disrupting the narcotics economy. Ultimately, this

Technology & Innovation

Beyond the Meter: How Smart Technology and a $23M Investment Are Solving Bansang’s Decades-Long Water Crisis

By Kabir Isa

This $23 million World Bank-backed initiative represents a strategic shift in The Gambia's water management, moving from crisis response to a modernized, data-driven utility system. The core of the transformation is the nationwide rollout of smart meters and infrastructure upgrades, which directly combat financial losses from non-revenue water while guaranteeing safe, reliable supply. Crucially, the project's initial success in Bansang demonstrates that high-impact change requires integrating technical investment with deep community engagement and ownership. This model not only solves

West African Politics

El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing Adjourned to June 2026: Legal Strategy, Political Context, and What Comes Next

By Kabir Isa

A Nigerian court has postponed the bail hearing for former Governor Nasir El-Rufai on corruption charges to June 2026, a two-year delay his legal team decries as politically motivated. The case, involving serious allegations of financial crime and abuse of office, has drawn significant security presence and public attention, highlighting the intense political and judicial tensions surrounding high-profile accountability in Nigeria. This extraordinary adjournment suggests a protracted legal battle ahead, raising immediate concerns about judicial process and the use of prolonged proceedings

Business & Economy

Bridging Academia and Industry: A Deep Dive into the CCI-Togo and University of Lomé Strategic Partnership

By Kabir Isa

This strategic five-year partnership between Togo's Chamber of Commerce and the University of Lomé directly bridges the gap between academia and the private sector to drive national economic growth. A core, actionable initiative is a language program for business operators, targeting English and Chinese to dismantle key barriers to international trade. The comprehensive framework extends beyond training to joint research, entrepreneurship, and innovation, creating a powerful synergy of institutional resources. This model represents a targeted blueprint for enhancing national competitiveness by systematically aligning workforce skills with market

Women & Youths Empowerment

Beyond Childcare: How Niger’s Community Shelters Unlock Women’s Economic Power and Land Restoration

By Kabir Isa

A simple, community-built childcare shelter in Niger has unlocked a powerful cycle of resilience by solving a critical barrier for women. By providing safe, shaded spaces for children at land restoration worksites, the initiative allows mothers to participate fully in paid labor, directly boosting household income and women's economic empowerment. This low-cost, culturally adapted solution demonstrates that addressing foundational social constraints—like childcare—is essential for effective climate adaptation and community development. The program's success, safeguarding thousands of children and enabling women's work

West African Politics

Experience vs. Governance: Jonathan’s Nuanced Rebuttal to Atiku’s ‘Inexperienced’ Remark

By Kabir Isa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has countered criticism of his inexperience by arguing that leadership competence is not a function of age, but of the ability to navigate complex political processes. He implicitly defends his tenure by suggesting that successfully managing Nigeria's transition after President Yar'Adua's death demonstrated requisite skill, not naivety. The exchange highlights a deeper political debate about whether preparedness for high office stems from longevity or adaptive governance. Ultimately, Jonathan frames fallibility as a universal human trait, separating the inevitability

West African Politics

Sovereignty as a Conquest: Bassolma Bazié’s Defense of the AES Strategy at the Sahel Summit

By Kabir Isa

The Sahel States Alliance (AES) is advancing a radical, sovereignty-first vision for regional governance, explicitly rejecting externally imposed liberal democracy models. At a high-level meeting in Togo, AES leadership framed their struggle not as a plea for autonomy but as an active conquest of self-determination, with practical progress cited in Burkina Faso's security and agricultural sectors. This stance is rooted in a pan-African solidarity ethos, invoking historical charters to justify a unified, independent path forward. The alliance's strategy