The Center for African Studies at the University of Florida hosted the 2017 Gwendolen M. Carter Conference in African Studies on 23-25 February. Organised by the Sahel Research Group, the conference brought together over 50 academics and policy makers from Africa, North America and Europe. The event provided an opportunity to discuss the pressing environmental, social, economic and political challenges that the region faces. Read on

An ambitious flagship project, the long-awaited construction of a trans-African gas pipeline connecting Nigeria via Morocco to Europe, might finally advance. The project was officially announced in December 2016 during a visit of King Mohammed VI to Nigeria. The 4 000 km pipeline will run along the Gulf of Guinea countries and will help create industrial hubs, and thereby will also boost regional economic integration beyond the energy sector. Read on

In his New Year’s Eve address to the nation, Senegalese President Macky Sall announced a 10% drop in the price of electricity for 2017. This measure will allow Senegalese consumers to save FCFA 30 billion, and it was made possible by an increase in the country’s energy-producing capability following the recent opening of solar power plants and by the restructuring of the national electricity company, which, since 2014, has become profitable. Read on

Of the 8.7 million West African migrants, Europe hosts 18.6% (1.6 million people representing 0.3% of the EU population). Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria make up for more than half of West African migrants in Europe. The large majority of West African migrants does not leave the African continent. Read on