Knowledge of aerosol seasonal variation is very important for estimating direct and indirect magnitude effects on aerosol–climate interactions. The aerosol optical depth (AOD), precipitable water (PW) and Angstrom exponent (AE) datasets in this study were obtained from five West African Sahel Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations with a significant contribution of desert particles. In this present study, trend analysis of AOD, PW and AE was validated to obtain the seasonal dependence and characterization of aerosol particle types. AOD, precipitable water and Angstrom exponent datasets at the daily scale were averaged into monthly means. Data number allows current evaluation of AOD variability for Agoufou (2009–2012), Banizoumbou (2009–2019), Ouagadougou (2000–2007), Dakar (2009–2019) and Ilorin (2009–2018). To provide aerosol contributors over the sahel regions, estimation of zonal and meridional jet winds was investigated. Seven-day kinematic back model trajectory analysis using the Global Modeling Assimilation Office and National Centers for Environmental Protection was used to investigate drivers of aerosols during seasons at various initial pressures. The model output shows the air mass origin and transport pathways to the study sites, which signifies the distribution dominance of AOD. The results show that the premonsoon season in Ilorin shows a predominantly high correlation of AOD with PW in AOD₁₀₂₀, (R =  − 0.86), AOD₈₇₀ (R =  − 0.87), AOD₆₇₅ (R =  − 0.88), AOD₄₄₀ (R =  − 0.90) and AE (R = 0.32), with AE (0.89 ± 0.26). The SW trade wind is the major driver of aerosols along the Sahel region of West Africa.