A Survey of West Africa: Introduction

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West Africa

A Survey of West Africa: Introduction

Posted by Justin Long ⋅ January 1, 2007 ⋅

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In this issue, we’ll be exploring West Africa in depth. This region features 16 countries scattered over 20% of Africa’s landmass: northern deserts bordering the Sahara, central savannahs and grasslands, and southern coasts dusted with rainforests.

The region’s population is exploding: from 27 million in 1900, it has risen to 233 million today and will likely nearly double to 400 million in 2025. Its population will then exceed North America; by 2050 it will have 586 million—more than all of Europe. Over half live in Nigeria (nearly 1 in 8 Africans is Nigerian). Nearly half (105 million) are children and some 42% (100 million) are urbanized with some 168 megacities, located mainly in the south. Along with Middle Africa, this region has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the world.

West Africa has been ruled by several empires, including the Soninke, Soso, Mali and Songhai. The Portugese arrived in 1445, shortly followed by other European powers. The African slave trade began soon after. Up to World War II, Britain and France controlled much of West Africa, but between 1957 and 1960 most of the countries achieved independence. Unfortunately so far few have achieved political stability or full development.

Wars have been or are being fought in Togo, Ivory Coast, and Liberia. Most are smaller conflicts than one would find in Middle or Eastern Africa. Apart from the open warfare, there are many small clashes caused by ethnic and religious unrest. As a result of this instability, despite its huge population and resources West Africa contributes just 15% of Africa’s total GNP. The two largest produces are Ivory Coast (which has 14% of West Africa’s economy) and Nigeria (which produces 40%, mostly through the sale of oil).

Ten of the 17 countries have serious AIDS epidemics. The drug trade has a new and growing influence, as Latin American drug lords courier shipments to Europe through West Africa.

Christianity first came to Western Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries, brought by missionaries in the coastal and inlands mission movements. Today Western Africa is divided between Islam in the north and Christianity in the south, with a belt of ethnoreligionists and syncretists in between. Many participate in secret occult societies.

Three countries are majority Christian, and five have significant Christian minorities. Nigeria is divided between southern Christians and northern Muslims, with religious conflict erupting where the two meet. The Islamization of some countries and provinces, as well as the general desire to enforce some kind of peace on warring factions, has led to some restrictions on religious activity. These restrictions are not so severe as in other places, but do pose an obstacle to the spread of church planting. A larger problem is violence from extremists.

About a third of Western Africa has little or no access to the Gospel. African mission societies are sending hundreds of workers throughout the west and north and have plans to rapidly increase their numbers. Join us as we explore their incredible, world-changing vision.