Countries: Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canary Islands (Spain), Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Italy, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain, Togo Source: Mixed Migration Centre Please refer to the attached file. The core countries of focus for this region are Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic and the coastal countries. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to any of the countries over the rest. Key Updates The Atlantic Route continues to contract in early 2026 (-82% y/y), driving an overall decline in arrivals to Spain (-48% y/y; -37% q/q), while movements increasingly shift towards the Western Mediterranean Route (+68% y/y), with an expansion at Ceuta (+435%). Mauritania strengthened cooperation with Senegal, including theregularisation of around 28,000 Senegalese, while expanding controls, arrests and deportations in northern regions. Nigeria and the European Union strengthened cooperation on migration and border management, including increased surveillance, personnel and infrastructure, alongside expanded engagement with Frontex and Europol. Chad tightened border controls in response to rising insecurity along the Sudan border, closing its eastern border and relocating at least 2,300 refugees. Refugee numbers in Chad have risen by nearly 20% y/y. Guinea raised concerns over deportation practices from Germany, calling to pause returns and potentially review the 2018 migration agreement in a context of broader EU efforts to strengthen return policies. ‘Expulsions from Algeria to Niger reached record levels in 2025, with over 34,000 migrants and refugees expelled’ (+9% y/y). Interceptions in The Gambia, including over 780 migrants and refugees in early January, reflect its growing role as a departure point along the Atlantic route, amid shifting routes from traditional hubs. Niger and Nigeria held bilateral discussions on the situation of approximately 1,300 Nigerian refugees in Niamey, including plans for assisted returns and local integration. Liberia expanded the mandate of its refugee commission to strengthen coordination on refugee protection, migration governance and statelessness, alongside the introduction of a biometric identification system for refugees.