{"id":709,"date":"2026-08-27T06:12:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T06:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/?page_id=709"},"modified":"2026-08-27T06:18:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T06:18:03","slug":"digital-transformation-in-west-africa-and-the-sahel","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/programmes\/digital-transformation-in-west-africa-and-the-sahel\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Transformation in West Africa and the Sahel"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"709\" class=\"elementor elementor-709\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6819445 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6819445\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c1b15d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9c1b15d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b30f09 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4b30f09\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fae440 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9fae440\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Building Policy-Oriented Research Agendas for the Digital Age in West Africa and the Sahel<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87902ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"87902ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main-photo.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-711\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main-photo.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main-photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main-photo-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo: 2025 Evidence Fair<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2bc450 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f2bc450\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8933b27 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8933b27\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2427259 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2427259\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ac9c0f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5ac9c0f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e4a356 elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"3e4a356\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"#\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-full size-full wp-image-322\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14.png 1080w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-768x960.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h4 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"#\">Timeline<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">2025-2026 (Pilot)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cbb74a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6cbb74a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c30f23 elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"9c30f23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"#\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/16.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-full size-full wp-image-324\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/16.png 1080w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/16-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/16-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/16-768x960.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h4 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"#\">Geographical Scope<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">West Africa and Sahel<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e203aa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5e203aa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65421db elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"65421db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"#\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/17.png\" class=\"elementor-animation-grow attachment-full size-full wp-image-325\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/17.png 1080w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/17-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/17-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/17-768x960.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h4 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"#\">Partners<\/a><\/h4><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Agence fran\u00e7aise de d\u00e9veloppement (AFD), Robert Bosch Foundation, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), African Center for Equitable Development (ACED)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-596ece6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"596ece6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87bdb5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"87bdb5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9497be e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e9497be\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4497061 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4497061\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><div><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0px;word-spacing: 0em\">Overview<\/span><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0px;word-spacing: 0em\"><\/span><\/div><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56b5437 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56b5437\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"w6asjq_TextBase _85PZeG_Text\" data-d-component=\"text\">Digital transformation is reshaping societies across West Africa and the Sahel, creating new opportunities while also changing social needs and policy challenges in governance, health, education, social cohesion, and peace. Yet these evolving needs remain poorly understood, leaving a gap between digital investments and the evidence needed to guide them.<\/p><p class=\"w6asjq_TextBase _85PZeG_Text\" data-d-component=\"text\">GDN addresses this gap by supporting policy-oriented research agendas that bring together researchers, governments, digital ecosystem stakeholders, civil society, and development partners to identify shared evidence priorities and promote inclusive digital transformation.<\/p><p class=\"w6asjq_TextBase _85PZeG_Text\" data-d-component=\"text\">Through multidisciplinary consortia, the pilot aims to:<\/p><div class=\"PSWZZq_Content\"><div class=\"PSWZZq_Label\"><ul><li class=\"w6asjq_TextBase _85PZeG_Text\" data-d-component=\"text\">Build partnerships to better understand emerging social needs and strengthen development interventions.<\/li><li class=\"w6asjq_TextBase _85PZeG_Text\" data-d-component=\"text\"><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';\">Connect research with public and private digital investment strategies to inform decision-making.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><ul class=\"PSWZZq_List\" data-d-component=\"list\" data-d-marker=\"bullet\" data-d-marker-layout=\"native\"><li class=\"PSWZZq_Item\" data-d-component=\"list-item\" data-d-marker-layout=\"native\"><div class=\"PSWZZq_Content\"><div class=\"PSWZZq_Label\"><p class=\"w6asjq_TextBase _85PZeG_Text\" data-d-component=\"text\">Support participatory, collaborative, and locally led research approaches that foster innovation and informed public debate.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e272f2f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e272f2f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-929c4b1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"929c4b1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-363fc48 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"363fc48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Approach<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1be679a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1be679a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"307\">GDN partners with national, policy-oriented research centres to embed research innovation throughout the process\u2014from defining questions to designing and testing methodologies. The project explores participatory and collaborative approaches to generate policy-relevant evidence and strengthen public debate.<\/p><p data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"321\">The project:<\/p><ul data-start=\"323\" data-end=\"1130\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><li data-section-id=\"13vuou1\" data-start=\"323\" data-end=\"509\"><strong data-start=\"325\" data-end=\"360\">Identifies research priorities:<\/strong> Works with policymakers to identify knowledge gaps linked to digital policy priorities. The pilot identified 35 questions across six thematic areas.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"zmmbmh\" data-start=\"510\" data-end=\"658\"><strong data-start=\"512\" data-end=\"541\">Refines research agendas:<\/strong> Works with research centres to assess evidence gaps and identify where research can inform policy and public debate.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ajzhpl\" data-start=\"659\" data-end=\"873\"><strong data-start=\"661\" data-end=\"691\">Builds research consortia:<\/strong> Connects researchers, research institutions, policymakers, and funders to develop relevant, fundable research programmes. Six consortia have been established across seven countries.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1wzks1n\" data-start=\"874\" data-end=\"999\"><strong data-start=\"876\" data-end=\"906\">Tests research innovation:<\/strong> Pilots participatory and collaborative methods to generate evidence and engage stakeholders.<\/li><li data-section-id=\"fdr3bm\" data-start=\"1000\" data-end=\"1130\" data-is-last-node=\"\"><strong data-start=\"1002\" data-end=\"1032\">Builds regional knowledge:<\/strong> Documents research approaches and findings to inform debates on inclusive digital transformation.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11bd9e6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"11bd9e6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-828088a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"828088a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f7ed76 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f7ed76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Selected Consortia<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-642324e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"642324e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Six multidisciplinary consortia<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are currently part of the initiative:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Laboratoire Soci\u00e9t\u00e9-Environnement (Benin), Collectif CRAM-CRAM (Mali), and Kassoum Berth\u00e9 (Mali): explore how digital innovations can contribute to better governance of shared natural resources and strengthen social cohesion.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CIFOEB &#8211; Centre d&#8217;Information, de Formation et d&#8217;\u00c9tudes sur le Budget (Burkina Faso), Laboratoire d\u2019Economie Publique (Benin), and Dr Tchakouni Sondou: explore the links between digital citizen participation and the effectiveness of public action.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CARDES &#8211; Centre de recherche panafricain pour le d\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique et social (Burkina Faso), LASDEL (Benin) and Marie-Th\u00e9r\u00e8se Daba S\u00e8ne:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">explore how public services can be designed and delivered in ways that leave no one behind.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LAEREAG &#8211; Laboratoire d&#8217;\u00c9tudes et de Recherche en \u00c9conomie Appliqu\u00e9e et Gestion (Chad), Dr G. Angelo Kpotounou (Benin), and Dr Marc Francis Dayamba (Burkina Faso): explore how models of cyberspace governance in the age of AI can help shift digitalisation from a source of dependency towards a lever for national sovereignty.<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mauritanie Perspectives (Mauritanie), CESPO (Benin), and Babacar Fall (Senegal):<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">explore how the digitalisation of public services is reshaping social inequalities, institutional trust and citizen engagement.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CERTIS &#8211; Centre d&#8217;\u00c9tudes et de Recherche en Technologies et Innovations Socio-Sanitaires et \u00e9conomiques<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Burkina Faso), CERMAQ (Benin), and Dr Hamitande Dout (Togo): explore which indicators can provide relevant and comparable measures of digital participation and inclusion across the region.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cd38a4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0cd38a4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05db2a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"05db2a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">LATEST UPDATES<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daa7512 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"daa7512\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df6e25e e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"df6e25e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-306d01a elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"306d01a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/events.gdn.int\/event\/8fbf46ce-92c8-4453-81f1-071ef335cd21\/home\" target=\"_blank\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1783498764306-300x203.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-712\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1783498764306-300x203.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1783498764306-1024x694.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1783498764306-768x520.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1783498764306.jpeg 1503w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3de2fcd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"3de2fcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/events.gdn.int\/event\/8fbf46ce-92c8-4453-81f1-071ef335cd21\/home\" target=\"_blank\"><b>EVENT | West African Digital Transformations Forum in Cotonou <\/b><\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Held in Cotonou, Benin, from 7\u20139 July 2026, the inaugural Forum brought together researchers, think tanks, and research institutions to strengthen knowledge on digital transformation in West Africa.\n\nSix consortia presented research proposals on digital inclusion, inequality, context-sensitive indicators, and frameworks for the region\u2019s digital agenda. Discussions emphasised moving beyond catching up with global digital innovation towards shaping the global agenda, with research that addresses current challenges and anticipates future ones.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c285cbc e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c285cbc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37730a0 elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"37730a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdn.int\/foire-aux-savoirs-2026\" target=\"_blank\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/55363762704_337b37824a_c-300x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-713\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/55363762704_337b37824a_c-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/55363762704_337b37824a_c-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/55363762704_337b37824a_c.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e5cb63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"5e5cb63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdn.int\/foire-aux-savoirs-2026\" target=\"_blank\"><b>EVENT | 2026 Evidence Fair in Abidjan<\/b><\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">The third Evidence Fair brought together around 20 think tanks from the Sahel and West Africa, alongside researchers, policymakers, civil society, and development partners, to explore how research can contribute credibly to public policy.\n\nOrganised by GDN with support from the Agence Fran\u00e7aise de D\u00e9veloppement, the Fair highlighted the importance of relationships, collaboration, and inclusive dialogue in strengthening research impact. These principles have also been central to developing the digitalisation and governance research agenda.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-debb299 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"debb299\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b98373b elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"b98373b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/5S7EvLO-WW8?si=Miv2KLmWexWaoTRa\" target=\"_blank\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.38.04-AM-300x168.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-714\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.38.04-AM-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.38.04-AM-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.38.04-AM-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.38.04-AM-1536x859.png 1536w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.38.04-AM-2048x1145.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8645f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"a8645f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/5S7EvLO-WW8?si=Miv2KLmWexWaoTRa\" target=\"_blank\"><b>WEBINAR | What Research Is Needed to Support Digital Transformations in West Africa and the Sahel?<\/b><\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Held on 25 March 2026, the webinar brought together around 150 researchers, think tanks, and digital and development stakeholders to discuss research priorities for digital transformation in the region.\n\nThe session shared progress on GDN\u2019s regional research agenda on digital transformations and governance, launched in 2025 with ACED and supported by AFD, IDRC, and the Robert Bosch Foundation. Contributions from around 10 think tanks helped identify key knowledge gaps, followed by an open discussion on regional research priorities.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-273e835 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"273e835\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94467be elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"94467be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdn.int\/foire-aux-savoirs-2025\" target=\"_blank\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"141\" src=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.42.10-AM-300x141.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-717\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.42.10-AM-300x141.png 300w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.42.10-AM-1024x480.png 1024w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.42.10-AM-768x360.png 768w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.42.10-AM-1536x721.png 1536w, https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-27-at-11.42.10-AM-2048x961.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1836312 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"1836312\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gdn.int\/foire-aux-savoirs-2025\" target=\"_blank\"><b>EVENT | 2025 Evidence Fair in Cotonou<\/b><\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Held in Cotonou, Benin, on 21\u201322 May 2025, the second Evidence Fair brought together researchers, digital agencies, civil society, private sector, and development actors to identify research priorities for digital transformation and governance.\n\nCo-hosted by GDN and ACED with ASIN-B\u00e9nin, the event generated 35+ research questions on digital equity, inclusive governance, and regional integration, and launched a shared effort to develop a regional research agenda.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-731e728 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"731e728\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a96048 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a96048\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57f8f2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"57f8f2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><div><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0px;word-spacing: 0em\">Stay Connected<\/span><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0px;word-spacing: 0em\"><\/span><\/div><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8caaf2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8caaf2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have questions, please contact <a href=\"mailto:aniang@gdn.int\">aniang@gdn.int<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/gdn.us3.list-manage.com\/subscribe?u=03d3a8f92f078c9debf72c9cf&amp;id=f817e2913c\">subscribe to the GDN newsletter<\/a> to receive the latest programme updates and announcements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e797e59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e797e59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building Policy-Oriented Research Agendas for the Digital Age in West Africa and the Sahel Photo: 2025 Evidence Fair Timeline 2025-2026 (Pilot) Geographical Scope West Africa and Sahel Partners Agence fran\u00e7aise de d\u00e9veloppement (AFD), Robert Bosch Foundation, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), African Center for Equitable Development (ACED) Overview Digital transformation is reshaping societies across West [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":244,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-709","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=709"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/709\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":720,"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/709\/revisions\/720"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gdn.int\/digitalisation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}