The more than 350 million people of West Africa live in the seven countries of Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. A region known for political instability, these nations struggle against climate, centuries of tradition, and economic insecurity.

The people of Niger, Mali, and Chad are some of the poorest in the world; likewise, their countries rate near the bottom of the United Nations’ Human Development Index for life expectancy, economic development, and education.

Primarily Islamic, The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal are less than one percent evangelical. Some people groups, like the more than three million Wolof, are almost 100-percent Muslim. Having a strong cultural identity, these groups fear that putting their faith in Christ will mean they must also leave behind their treasured social and cultural traditions.

Islam in West Africa is different from Islam in other parts of the world. It is made up of brotherhoods where social and familial relationships are very significant, making conversion to Christianity especially difficult socially.

West Africa’s southern edge is the frontline along which Islam is advancing into sub-Saharan Africa, and therefore where the future of Christianity in Africa will be decided. This dynamic makes this area a major missions priority right now and in the years to come.

Vision & Strategy

our partners in West Africa are church-planting ministries focused on sharing Christ with unreached people including the Dagomba, Ligby, Tuareg, Wolof, and other tribal groups. Our vision is to communicate the Gospel in a culturally appropriate and effective way. Thus we support holistic projects that address the tremendous humanitarian needs in the region and demonstrate the love of God.

While we assist a variety of projects, we also believe that developing the core of the Church—its leaders—and helping ministries increase their own income-generating capacity are essential to the health of the West African Church in the future.

Leadership

Our efforts in West Africa are led by our field-based Area Director, Rene Mbongo. A native of Central African Republic, Rene is experienced in church administration and has served as a pastor, director of a Bible society, and co-founder of Senegal’s first indigenous church-planting mnistry. He is also a key facilitator of partnership networks in the region. Rene’s role as Area Director is to identify opportunities for Partners to serve the indigenous Church and to provide pastoral care and strategic planning consulting to our partners.

How You Can Be A Partner

We invite you to partner with us in building the Church in West Africa. Develop relationships with Partners International staff doing ministry in the region and with the leaders of our indigenous partners there. Pray for the region. Sponsor A Child. Join our initiative that focuses on the needs of women. Use your professional skills. Join a short-term ministry team from your church. Financially sponsor a ministry outreach. Working together, we’ll see God build His Church in the least Christian regions of the world.