Why was French West Africa created in 1895?

French West Africa was created in 1895 to consolidate the administration of France’s various individual colonial holdings in western Africa. By the late 19th century, France had acquired significant territory in the region, but these areas were largely governed separately.

The establishment of this administrative grouping allowed a single governor-general, stationed in Senegal, to perform three primary functions:
* Consolidate the administrative expenses of the colonies.
* Coordinate policies toward the Indigenous African populations.
* Settle disputes between colonial administrators.

This move was part of France’s broader expansion during the era of New Imperialism, which saw European powers aggressively partitioning the continent during the Scramble for Africa.1