Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) promotes the ideals of an open society where functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and citizens' empowerment prevail. OSIWA collaborates with advocacy groups, like-minded foundations, governments, and donors to create initiatives that enhance civil society. OSIWA’s program priorities include human rights, good governance, media and communication, and economic reform.

Through its programs, OSIWA has supported research, advocacy, NGO engagement, and legal reform in relation to truth and reconciliation activities. It has funded organizations and initiatives that promote defense for prisoners, address pretrial detention issues and offer alternatives to incarceration. OSIWA has worked to raise the level of professional journalism, reduce media self-censorship, promote freedom of information laws, develop electronic information for libraries, and strengthen community radio. OSIWA has also funded community-level projects that address the struggles of sex workers, youth, and people living with HIV/AIDS.

The countries covered by OSIWA include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.