ABSTRACT
Close to one-fifth of the entire continent, the westernmost region of Africa is bordered by the Sahara Desert in the north, by the Atlantic Ocean in the west towards the south, and eastwards by the Benue Trough extending towards the Chad Basin. There are 16 countries in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. 1 The region is characterized by many cultures and tribes, with some extending over two or more countries. Although West African countries are generally categorized as developing, industrialization is fast-growing, while agricultural farming and fishing are still important means for people's livelihoods. Additionally, West Africa is endowed with significant natural resources and interconnected waters. Figure 9.1 presents the riparian states in the region, with some of their waters as they link to each other.
