Modern Tribalism

West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo, as well as Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (a United Kingdom Overseas Territory). As of 2021, the population of West Africa is estimated at 419 million, and approximately 382 million in 2017, of which 189.7 million were female and 192.3 million male. The region is one of the fastest growing in Africa, both demographically and economically. West Africa is a culturally and demographically diverse region, home to many ethnic groups, including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Akan, Mandé, Wolof, Songhai, Kanuri, Zarma and Tuareg. The most common religions practiced in the region are Islam, Christianity and traditional African religions. Historically, West Africa was home to several powerful states and empires that controlled regional trade routes, including the Mali and Gao Empires. Positioned at a crossroads of trade between North Africa and South Sahel Africa, the region supplied goods such as gold, ivory, and advanced iron-working. During European exploration, local economies were incorporated into the Atlantic slave trade, which expanded existing systems of slavery. Even after the end of the slave trade in the early 19th century, colonial powers – especially France and Britain — continued to exploit the region through colonial relationships. For example, they continued exporting extractive goods like cocoa, coffee, tropical timber, and mineral resources. Since gaining independence, several West African nations, such as the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal – have taken active roles in regional and global economies. Nigeria, with a population of more than 242 million, is the most populous country in Africa, and the world's sixth-most populous country, and its economy is the largest in the region and one of the largest in Africa along with Egypt and South Africa. By contrast, other countries in the area, such as Niger and Mali, have among the lowest human development index in the world. West Africa has a rich ecology, with significant biodiversity across various regions. Its climate is shaped by the dry Sahara to the north and east – producing the Harmattan winds — and by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west, which brings seasonal monsoons. This climatic mix creates a range of biomes, from tropical forests to drylands, supporting species such as pangolin, rhinoceros, and elephant. Several countries in West Africa are crossed by the Sahel, a transition zone between the more humid Sudanian savannas to its south and the drier Sahara to the north. However, West Africa's environment faces major threats due to deforestation, biodiversity loss, overfishing, pollution from mining, plastics, and climate change.