Africa & Global Power

Introduction   The geopolitical reconfiguration of West Africa has accelerated since 2023, marked by declining French influence and the growing assertiveness of non-Western powers. As examined in Who Is Replacing France in West Africa? Global Powers Reshaping 2026 , the strategic vacuum left by France has been filled by actors such as Russia, China, and Turkey. This shift reflects a broader transformation toward a multipolar international order.¹  Within this evolving system, Nigeria occupies a uniquely pivotal position. As Africa’s most populous state and one of its largest economies, Nigeria’s strategic choices in 2026 will shape regional stability, continental diplomacy, and its own domestic political economy. Get Simple Breakdowns of African Geopolitics Join the free weekly brief from Africa & Global Power. No noise. No propaganda. Just clear an...

Abstract: France’s long-standing geopolitical influence in West Africa — rooted in colonial ties, military cooperation, and economic arrangements — has markedly declined in recent years. This decline has been accompanied by shifts in regional security partnerships, rising anti-French sentiment, and the emergence of alternative global actors, notably Russia, China, and Turkey. This article examines the causes of France’s waning influence, the actors filling the resulting geopolitical space, and the implications for West African states such as Nigeria. 1. Introduction France’s influence in West Africa was once underpinned by a combination of military presence, economic integration, and historically entrenched political networks commonly referred to as Françafrique (a term denoting France’s postcolonial sphere of influence). However, structural changes within the region and the global geopolitical environment have significantly weakened Paris’s capacity to assert influence com...