french west africa

noun

1. a former French federation in W Africa, including Dahomey (now Benin), French Guinea, French Sudan (now Mali), Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Upper Volta (now Burkina Fasso).

noun

1. a former group (1895–1958) of French Overseas Territories: consisted of Senegal, Mauritania, French Sudan, (now Mali), Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Niger, French Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Dahomey (now Benin)