West African governments will struggle with unrest

Significance

This is due to a combination of factors, including high rates of vaccine hesitancy and inadequate supply to meet current demand. The Omicron variant has raised fears that economic recovery could be stifled. Meanwhile, inflation has increased in the region amid political and social unrest in many of its countries.

Impacts

• Vaccine roll-out will continue to lag in West Africa.
• Coastal states may experience an uptick in jihadist attacks in border areas.
• Public sector strikes and street protests will occur frequently across the region.