National Congress of British West Africa

The National Congress of British West Africa was an organization formed by professionals in the early 20th century. Its primary goal was to advocate for the development of legislative councils within British colonies across West Africa, aiming for these councils to gain control over their respective colonial administrations.1

This organization emerged from a growing sentiment among educated Africans who felt excluded from political power despite the changes brought by colonial rule. By the 1940s, these elites, having gained experience and education through various opportunities, including military service, began to press for greater representation and self-governance. The Congress specifically demanded that African representatives constitute half of the Legislative Council members and also called for the establishment of a university in West Africa and increased senior positions for Africans in the colonial civil service.12