EPISODE · Mar 8, 2026 · 47 MIN
Why West Africa is struggling and falling to jihadists
from On the Fringe · host Dave and Gavin
(00:00:00) Why West Africa is struggling and falling to jihadists (00:00:37) The Current State of West Africa (00:03:23) Big challenges in the Sahel Region (00:06:09) The impact of jihadists on local West African communities (00:09:04) Economic and security struggles (00:11:52) The roles of foreign troops in West Africa (00:16:42) Nigeria's ongoing leadership crisis (00:17:59) The need for economics to play a lead role (00:20:27) Signs of desperation across the region (00:24:19) The current employment picture and harsh reality of the informal economy (00:28:16) Shifting local aspirations toward far-off dreams (00:29:24) How demographics are exacerbating these problems (00:31:29) Fusing the disconnected segments across (00:33:31) Industrial policy successes and failures in West Africa and Ghana (00:35:35) The growing divide between elites and common people (00:40:15) Cultural disconnect of elites in their own country (00:42:46) Military leaders as change agents (00:44:55) The path forward in West Africa is to look back West Africa is in a tumultuous economic crisis that is fueling the spread of jihadism in the region. In this episode, Dave and Gavin talk to old friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, about the state of West Africa and how it became so unstable. In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about the economic crisis underpinning the jihadi violence tearing the Sahel apart, the colonial problems that lead to this, and how that economic crisis coincides with larger social and demographic problems that will continue to make West Africa a region to watch for a long, long time. We also make light of the plight of the humble yam farmer, for which we apologize. Spreand and share our insight if you learned something. We sincerely appreciate it! For more of Stuart's insight, don't miss this episode about democracy in West Africa.And, for more on one of the key leaders in the region, don't miss this episode about the man of the hour in West Africa.The map of West Africa in the corner of the cover art was made by Sannita and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made. The yam in the corner of the cover art was made by Muktee1494 and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made.
What this episode covers
(00:00:00) Why West Africa is struggling and falling to jihadists (00:00:37) The Current State of West Africa (00:03:23) Big challenges in the Sahel Region (00:06:09) The impact of jihadists on local West African communities (00:09:04) Economic and security struggles (00:11:52) The roles of foreign troops in West Africa (00:16:42) Nigeria's ongoing leadership crisis (00:17:59) The need for economics to play a lead role (00:20:27) Signs of desperation across the region (00:24:19) The current employment picture and harsh reality of the informal economy (00:28:16) Shifting local aspirations toward far-off dreams (00:29:24) How demographics are exacerbating these problems (00:31:29) Fusing the disconnected segments across (00:33:31) Industrial policy successes and failures in West Africa and Ghana (00:35:35) The growing divide between elites and common people (00:40:15) Cultural disconnect of elites in their own country (00:42:46) Military leaders as change agents (00:44:55) The path forward in West Africa is to look back West Africa is in a tumultuous economic crisis that is fueling the spread of jihadism in the region. In this episode, Dave and Gavin talk to old friend of the pod, Stuart Bolus, about the state of West Africa and how it became so unstable. In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about the economic crisis underpinning the jihadi violence tearing the Sahel apart, the colonial problems that lead to this, and how that economic crisis coincides with larger social and demographic problems that will continue to make West Africa a region to watch for a long, long time. We also make light of the plight of the humble yam farmer, for which we apologize. Spreand and share our insight if you learned something. We sincerely appreciate it! For more of Stuart's insight, don't miss this episode about democracy in West Africa.And, for more on one of the key leaders in the region, don't miss this episode about the man of the hour in West Africa.The map of West Africa in the corner of the cover art was made by Sannita and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made. The yam in the corner of the cover art was made by Muktee1494 and is available here on Wikimedia. No changes were made.
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Why West Africa is struggling and falling to jihadists
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