Implemented with funding from the World Bank and technical support from UNFPA through its Regional Technical Secretariat based in Dakar, the SWEDD+ project (Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend) reflects a shared ambition to transform the lives of women and adolescent girls and to foster inclusive, equitable development across the region.

In 2024, the project entered a new phase of regional solidarity and collective ambition, advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls throughout West and Central Africa. Despite a complex environment marked by conflict, food insecurity, climate shocks, and economic instability, SWEDD successfully concluded its second phase and launched a bold new chapter: SWEDD+. This expanded phase welcomes The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo, joining Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Mauritania in a common commitment to a more equitable future—and a more prosperous region for all.

The annual report highlights the key achievements of 2024, made possible through strong collaboration among partners. Among the results:

• Over 250,000 young women participated in economic empowerment initiatives;
• 95% of supported adolescent girls stayed in school thanks to targeted support measures;
• Safe Spaces, a cornerstone of the program, reached more than 500,000 girls and young women;
• Community and media outreach reached over 418 million people across 11 countries;
• And over 1.3 million new users accessed modern contraceptives, particularly in underserved areas.

These milestones reflect the growing impact of the SWEDD+ initiative and the strength of coordinated regional action to advance gender equality and sustainable development.

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