Jess Moody

For West Africa, the Gold Boom Is a Double-Edged Sword West African governments are scrambling to make the most of a new gold rush. But the boom is also exacerbating existing challenges for the region.

For West Africa, the Gold Boom Is a Double-Edged Sword

My thoughts on the highs and lows of the gold price hikes we are seeing at the moment for West African people, gvts and mining companies via @wpr.bsky.social

www.worldpoliticsreview.com/west-africa-...

Sub-Saharan Africa | China's push for investment stability contrasts with Russia's destabilising tactics via Wagner-linked security firms. As both seek influence, tensions rise—posing risks for regional governance, peace, and development.

Are China and Russia on a Collision Course in Africa? While Beijing seeks influence and prizes a stable investment climate, Moscow is sowing chaos and selling private security services to quell it.

The more active Russia is on the continent, the more likely it is that security challenges will spill over borders and pose problems for China’s investments and influence in African countries, Jessica Moody writes.

Are China and Russia on a Collision Course in Africa? While Beijing seeks influence and prizes a stable investment climate, Moscow is sowing chaos and selling private security services to quell it.

Are China and Russia on a Collision Course in Africa?

My latest for @foreignpolicy.com

foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/31/c...

La Côte d’Ivoire est le pays le plus heureux d’Afrique de l’Ouest, selon l’université d’Oxford Chaque année, l'université britannique d'Oxford publie un classement des pays les plus heureux. Si sur le continent africain, le classement est dominé par Maurice, la Libye et l’Algérie, la Côte d’Ivo...

Cote d'Ivoire is the happiest country in West Africa : www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/2...

Regional Divisions Are Fraying West Africa’s Security Cooperation The three Sahelian states’ split from ECOWAS is reducing security cooperation at a time when West Africa is battling numerous crises.

Regional Divisions Are Fraying West Africa’s Security Cooperation - my thoughts on how the break up of ECOWAS poses problems for regional efforts to counter jihadist expansion via @wpr.bsky.social

www.worldpoliticsreview.com/west-africa-...

My latest for WPR

France’s Military Exit Doesn’t Signal a Split With Cote d’Ivoire It’s tempting to conflate France’s military exit from Cote d’Ivoire with its withdrawals from other regional countries. But there are key differences.

Why the French troop withdrawals from Cote d'Ivoire are not the same as those from other parts of West Africa - my analysis for @wpr.bsky.social

www.worldpoliticsreview.com/france-cote-...

Mali's aggressive tactics spook miners A tougher mining code and the detention of company employees are creating a challenging environment for foreign mining firms.

Mali's aggressive tactics spook miners - my latest for @afbiz.bsky.social with thanks for insights from Ibrahima Goita, Tiffany Wognaih and Byron Cabrol:

african.business/2025/02/reso...

Mali: TotalEnergies, le géant français des hydrocarbures, quitte le pays TotalEnergies quitte le Mali. Le géant français des hydrocarbures a vendu ses activités au début du mois à Coly Energy Mali, une entité pilotée par la société béninoise Bénin Petro. Une reprise de la…

How many more companies will follow? The days are surely numbered for French businesses still operating in Mali...

www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/2...

ECOWAS Has a Path Back to Relevance After the Sahelian States’ Exit The three countries of the AES are set to leave ECOWAS. The existential shock could lead to a rejuvenation of the West African bloc.

My thoughts on the impending Sahel states withdrawal from ECOWAS

www.worldpoliticsreview.com/ecowas-aes-s...

Senegal businesses brace for assertive policy after Faye's landslide PASTEF's landslide victory in November's legislative elections could allow the government to pursue its policy agenda with more vigour.

My slightly belated thoughts on November's legislative election win for PASTEF in African Business Magazine

Thanks for the excellent insights Mamadou BALDE, Tiffany Wognaih, Nicolas Soyere, and a few very helpful other sources who wished to remain anonymous.

african.business/2025/01/poli...

ECOWAS Has a Path Back to Relevance After the Sahelian States’ Exit The three countries of the AES are set to leave ECOWAS. The existential shock could lead to a rejuvenation of the West African bloc.

Three countries are set to leave ECOWAS, leaving the bloc feeling extremely fragile. But as @jessmoody89.bsky.social writes, their departure doesn’t need to spell the end of the West African bloc.

ECOWAS breakaway strains West African business ties Military governments in West Africa have formed the Alliance of Sahel States after exiting ECOWAS. The impact on growth could be profound.

ECOWAS breakaway strains West African business ties - my thoughts on the impact of poor regional relations on business operations with insights from the excellent Flavien Baumgartner, Verner Ayukegba and Antoine Drogoul

african.business/2024/11/trad...

A Feud With Burkina Faso Has Cote d’Ivoire’s Outtara on the Back Foot Burkina Faso’s military leader has been mounting efforts to undermine the Ivorian government. The problems for Cote d’Ivoire don’t stop there.

A Feud With Burkina Faso Has Cote d’Ivoire’s Ouattara on the Back Foot - my thoughts on the increasing destabilisation attempts going on between Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso via @wpr.bsky.social #civ225 #faso

www.worldpoliticsreview.com/burkina-faso...