The capital of the French Federation of West Africa states was located in?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks where the capital of French West Africa (Afrique Occidentale Française, AOF) was located. This is a colonial administration question.

Step 2: The concept French West Africa was a federation created in 1895 and formally organized in 1904. It brought together eight French colonies: Senegal, Mauritania, French Sudan (now Mali), French Guinea, Ivory Coast, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Dahomey (now Benin), and Niger.

The federation was headed by a Governor-General. The first capital was Saint-Louis, Senegal. In 1902 the Governor-General's seat moved to Dakar, which was the federal capital until the federation was dissolved in 1958-1960.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Bamako was the capital of French Sudan, a territory within the federation, not the federal capital.
• B. Dakar was the federal capital, the seat of the Governor-General, and a major port and administrative centre.
• C. Conakry was the capital of French Guinea only.
• D. Niamey was the capital of the Niger colony only.

Step 4: Answer The capital of the French Federation of West Africa was Dakar, Senegal.

Tip: Remember "Dakar = Door to the Atlantic". Dakar is the westernmost port, which made it the natural hub for French administration. Also remember that French West Africa had one federal capital (Dakar) and separate territorial capitals (Bamako, Conakry, Niamey, and so on). Exams often test this difference.