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.

Our Vision

The #IAMSAHEL Campaign aims to honor the extraordinary resilience and unwavering spirit of Sahelians. This initiative is dedicated to championing community action, connecting Sahelians with transformative opportunities, fostering robust regional cooperation, and igniting a widespread movement for sustainable positive change across the region.

Our Mission

Through the #IAMSAHEL Campaign, UNDP is committed to highlighting the stories of progress and opportunity emerging from the Sahel amidst challenging settings. We are committed to fostering vital connections among Sahelians and to opportunities that catalyze positive change through governance, youth empowerment, and renewable energy. Our mission goes beyond informing and inspiring people; we aim to actively engage Sahelians to recognize and advocate for the transformative efforts underway in the Sahel.

Key Pillars

UNDP’s engagement in the Sahel region is grounded in three fundamental pillars of "A Regeneration": Governance, Youth Empowerment, and Renewable Energy.

1. Governance: Committed to cultivating good governance, we strive to foster political stability, enhance social cohesion, and rebuild trust between citizens and the state. Our efforts focus on improving public service delivery, supporting democratic processes, and nurturing peaceful political transitions.
2. Youth Empowerment: With 65% of the Sahel’s population under 25, young Sahelians represent a dynamic force for transformation. We are dedicated to unlocking this potential by creating meaningful employment opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship, and involving youth in governance and peacebuilding endeavors.
3. Renewable Energy: Despite its vast potential, the Sahel's renewable energy resources remain underexploited. Our strategy involves harnessing these resources to stimulate industrial growth, generate employment, and advance sustainable development. This includes broadening access to clean energy, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting innovative renewable energy projects.

The #IAMSahel campaign is intricately woven around these pillars. It is crafted as a people-centric initiative that instills pride and a sense of belonging among Sahelians. Designed to evolve and expand, the campaign aims to bring to light countless untold stories that resonate with and exemplify our vision for the region.

Join the Movement

The #IAMSAHEL Campaign is a dynamic movement dedicated to empowering Sahelians. This initiative ensures that Sahelians are seen, heard, and equipped with the tools to build a thriving Sahel. We invite you to embark on this journey with us. Share your experiences, mobilize others, and contribute to the reshaping of the Sahel.

Together, we can redefine the narrative of the Sahel, celebrating not its challenges but its victories and potential. Welcome to #IAMSAHEL—where every voice is significant, and every story makes a difference.

10 Things to Do

1. Raise awareness about the campaign using the hashtag #IAMSahel or #JeSuisSahel (in French) on social media and traditional platforms.
2. Retweet or repost content from @UNDPWACA or @UNDPAfrica Twitter accounts.
3. Share stories of how Sahelians are making a difference in their communities.
4. Using the hashtag #IAMSahel or JeSuisSahel, share social media messages about what makes you proud to be a Sahelian.
5. Get your followers and network to participate in the campaign
6. Tag @UNDPWACA (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn etc.)
7. Download Campaign Materials: Access videos, images, and other resources from our campaign Trello board and help amplify the campaign.
8. Organize events to discuss and promote the campaign’s goals and share on social media.
9. Create a competition on the Sahel/country—writing, art, photography, videography, etc.
10. Create social media videos (More Details Below)

• Create video statements talking about what the Sahel is/means to you or how you are leading change in the region and calling other Sahelians to participate in the campaign. 
• Highlight campaign opportunities which will be created throughout the rest of the year for people to get engaged.
• Share posts on social media, including key messages on what the Sahel means to you.

Got more ideas? Reach out to ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org.