Conference Paper

Good Governance, Security and Economic Development in West Africa

West Africa’s development progress is constrained by interlocking deficiency in governance, security, and economic performance. Since 2020, the region has faced eight coups, expansion in terrorism, and high unemployment rate, despite abundant resources and intra-regional trade opportunities. This study employed systematic review and applies a “tripod model” to analyses the connection between good governance, security, and economic performance in west Africa. Using comparative case evidence from Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, and Cabo Verde, by exploring 2000-2026 governance, conflict, and economic data, the study traces how institutional weakness generates grievance, fuels insecurity, and raises business costs. Conversely, where governance improves, security stabilizes and private investment follows. The paper concludes with an integrated policy agenda for ECOWAS states: enforce democratic norms, reform security sector governance, and anchor AfCFTA implementation in job creation to reduce terrorism recruitment pools. Keywords: Good governance, human security, economic development, West Africa