The Sahel region is a land of opportunities as it is of challenges. Despite its abundant human and natural resources, which can accelerate its potential for rapid growth, the Sahel is also characterized by deep-rooted environmental, security and political challenges.

Weak governance, social exclusion, limited capacities of national institutions, insufficient level of development, protracted internal conflicts and recurrent attacks by armed groups pose serious challenges to governance structures and stability in the Sahel.

Yet, governance remains one of the cornerstones with the potential to reform the region into one of transformational and sustainable development. By strengthening social cohesion, institutional capacities and state-society relations, public trust can be restored, access to essential services can be enhanced, and the inclusive participation of citizens as leading actors in development can be achieved.

As a result, the UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa (UNDP WACA) has commissioned a Report that will delve into the Future of Governance in the Sahel, looking at trends and challenges and identify pockets of opportunities that can catapult the region into long term transformational development.

As part of the report production process, this inception workshop will convene all authors and contributors to agree on the approach and editorial policy and present the final peer-reviewed chapters before publication.