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In Chad, Zara Abdoulaye Wishes to Feed her Community

Zara Abdoulaye envisions the revitalization of the shores of Lake Chad as a tranquil sanctuary for her people. To realize this vision, the 53-year-old woman has placed her faith in economic development, with a particular emphasis on the fishing industry.

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Jankey Jassey: Women Pioneering the Solar Revolution

Jankey has not only learned to embrace this natural energy source that has perpetually shaped her daily life, but she has also transformed it into her vocation: renewable energy engineer.

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In Mauritania, meet Aziza Sidi Bouna, the Engineer Fighting Climate Change with Animal Waste

"Contributing to mitigating climate change" is the great challenge that Aziza Sidi Bouna, a 32-year-old Mauritanian renewable energy engineer, has set for herself. To achieve this, she has developed an innovative solution: producing biogas from animal, plant, and domestic waste.

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Ayeshah Jammeh: Remembering the Past for Justice and Democracy

A beam of light enters through one of the windows, illuminating the dark room like the manifestation of a celestial symbol. With her eyes fixed on the large photographs, Ayeshah Jammeh's mind wanders. She walks silently, treading upon fragments that have become the collective memory of Gambians.

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Weteye Ndidama: The Cameroonian Farmer Empowering Women and Transforming Lives

Nestled amidst the mountains of Cameroon's Far North region, resides Weteye Ndidama, a 35-year-old farmer. Each morning, she embarks on her journey to the fields, where she is greeted by a group of thirty dedicated women, all members of the collective she established in 2014.

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Safoura Cissé, Queen of Noni for a Virtuous Agro-Industry

Under the scorching Sahelian sun during the dry season, with a scarf tied around her head and a wicker basket in her arms, Safoura Cissé tirelessly repeats the same actions and picks up the fresh and highly fragrant fruits that have fallen to the ground before storing them.

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Zaharata Sawadogo: Self-sufficiency and Job Creation through Solar Energy

With the installation of solar-powered cold rooms, the perishable products procured from farmers in Burkina Faso's central-northern region can now be preserved in optimal condition for several days before being sold to the city's residents.

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A Resilient Sahel through women entrepreneurship

In the Sahel region, where the weight of tradition still holds sway, the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector is gaining momentum, propelled by various initiatives.

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Renewable Energy: Mauritania's Winning Bet

Mauritania, a country particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is determined to limit its greenhouse gas emissions. Symbolizing this commitment, an increasing number of young people have chosen to become agents of change by setting up renewable energy businesses.

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Blog
A Transition to Renewable Energy in the Sahel

Faced with climate and development challenges, access to renewable energy has become vital for millions of Sahelians. In the Sahel, a region endowed with enormous potential, UNDP has set the ambitious goal of providing more than 150 million people with access to clean and affordable energy by 2025.

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Music, Art, and Culture in the Sahel... Striking a Delicate Balance

As the famous proverb goes, music has the power to soothe the soul. In the Sahel, renowned for its immense musical wealth, music accompanies daily life and serves as a reflection of society and its evolution.

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Mini-Grids for Powering and Developing the Rural Sahel

The Africa Minigrid Program (AMP), financed by diverse international partners and spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with governments, is set to assist countries in adopting innovative models for electricity supply.

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Sahel, the digital turning point

In recent years, the African continent has made significant strides in the realm of digital technology, exemplified by the widespread use of mobile phones and the internet, the flourishing of online banking, and the burgeoning ecosystem of innovative startups.

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In Cameroon's Far North Region, Trade with Nigeria Resumes

The reopening of borders and major trade corridors have allowed many residents to resume business, providing much-needed income and means of subsistence for development.

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Entrepreneurship, Empowering Sahelian Youth

Africa is home to the largest number of young people in the world. Brimming with ideas and talents, and exhibiting remarkable resourcefulness, this youthful population undoubtedly has a pivotal role to play in the development process.

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Marc Tamba Tolno, the Man Who Brings Light to Guinean Villages

This is the story of a self-taught young man who took on the crazy challenge of bringing electricity to his village of Firadou, located in the heart of the Guinean Forest, far away from city centers.

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About the #IAMSAHEL Campaign

Welcome to the #IAMSAHEL Campaign, a UNDP WACA initiative designed to transform and amplify the voices of Sahelians. The Sahel—a vast and diverse region encompassing Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia—has long been depicted through the lens of crisis, poverty, and hunger. Join us in telling a different story—a story of potential, resilience, and ingenuity.

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Results Achieved through the UNDP Sahel Offer

172

Million

people reached through the UNDP Sahel Offer

10

Million

youth empowered through access to education, employment, and essential services

70.7

Million

people benefited from nature protection and renewable energy initiatives

91.5

Million

benefitted from governance initiatives

11.9

Million

tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced through renewable energy projects

27.6

Million

hectares managed under sustainable use, conservation, and benefit-sharing regimes, including 26.1 million hectares of terrestrial and marine protected areas advanced to preserve and sustainably manage biodiversity

"We must continue to invest in hope, dignity, decency and the promise of shared prosperity for the people of the region!"

Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa

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