Explainer: Radicalization and Violent Extremism
April 20, 2026
Boko Haram Insurgents, West Africa
By Efraïm Vermeulen, Research Fellow at WACCE
Across West Africa, the spread of radicalization and violent extremism is an urgent threat to stability, security, and community development. Since 2007, terrorism in the region has increased tenfold, and today, the Sahel alone contains five out of the ten countries most affected by terrorism. Fueled by a mix of socio-economic pressures and personal vulnerabilities, the process of radicalization has reshaped security dynamics in the region. Coastal states such as Ghana are no longer immune.
This explainer examines what radicalization is, how it relates to violent extremism, and why taking decisive preventative action is an urgent priority.
What do these terms mean?
Radicalization and violent extremism are two closely related but distinct concepts that define the focus of much of WACCE’s work. WACCE defines radicalization as “a process in which individuals adopt increasingly extreme beliefs that legitimise the use of violence in pursuing their goals.” This process may lead to violent extremism, which we define as “the willingness to use violence to pursue one’s goals.” The key difference is that a radicalized individual believes that violence is justified, while a violent extremist is willing to also act on that belief. In other words, radicalization does not always lead to violent extremism, but someone who engages in violent extremism has typically undergone a process of radicalization.
Factors Leading to Radicalisation and Violent Extremism
The causes of radicalization and violent extremism are complex and context-dependent. A range of commonly identified personal and structural factors can contribute to these processes. Structural factors can make entire groups or societies vulnerable to radicalisation. When combined with certain personal factors they create conditions in which radicalization and violent extremism are more likely to occur. Structural factors are often referred to as “push factors” and personal factors as “pull factors.”
| Personal (pull) factors | Structural (push) factors |
| Ideological beliefs | Unemployment and lack of opportunity |
| Childhood trauma | Poverty and inequality |
| Personality (e.g. risk-taking, adventure-seeking) | Marginalization |
| External influences, such as social media or groomers | Weak governance and absence of public services |
| Personal grievances | Political repression |
Why it matters
Radicalization and violent extremism can be highly destabilizing, particularly to developing societies. If left unaddressed they may result in spikes of terrorism and conflict, as we have seen across the Sahel. In Ghana too, they can undermine stability and development. To effectively counter violent extremism and radicalization, it is crucial to understand what underpins these processes.
In our work, this could look like organizing targeted dialogues to understand the specific grievances of the local community and the ways in which the state is failing them. Subsequently, WACCE works to provide skills trainings to combat unemployment, address marginalization with anti-discrimination advocacy, and building local conflict resolution capacity. WACCE believes in supporting prevention at both the macro level and the individual level, with other activities such as identifying early warning signs in vulnerable individuals. Early warning programs in general also require equipping security agencies and communities with the knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to radicalization.
Key Takeaways
Radicalization is not a destination, but a process that may play out over weeks, months or years, laying the groundwork for a shift towards violent extremism. Once an individual has been radicalized, reversing this process can be highly challenging. However, it is possible if we understand precisely how and why radicalization has occurred. It then often involves a lengthy and costly rehabilitation and reintegration program that may span years depending on the case. De-radicalization requires sustained social support for the individual to ensure their disengagement from extremist beliefs. Prevention is much more (cost-)effective than de-radicalization. Ultimately, identifying the signs and addressing the drivers of radicalization early on reduces the likelihood of violent extremism. This is why prevention is at the core of our work.