This study looked at the factors that contribute to terrorism in the sub-region of West Africa. The study evaluated a number of issues, including poor governance, religious extremism, political instability and greed, poverty, and foreign influence, as key contributors to terrorism in the West Africa sub-region using the regional security complex theory. Secondary data was obtained from the body of extant counterterrorism literature using the historical research design. Among other things, qualitative findings showed that the threat of poor governance has contributed to the rise of terrorism in the West African sub-region. More so, it was found that the nations of the region are still characterized by varying levels of stability and socioeconomic concerns among which is the ravaging terrorism in the region. Hence, the prolonged humanitarian crisis has had a devastating impact on food security and nutrition in the region, with millions of people in need of emergency food assistance as well as widespread displacement, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, protection risks, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. To address the underlying factors that determine terrorism in the West Africa sub-region, the study recommends that governments in the sub-region should focus on improving the quality of governance and leadership so as to improve on the socioeconomic and political stability of citizens in the sub-region. The study affirmed that the competition amongst the elites have contributed to terrorism, armed violence and conflict in the sub region.