The availability and quality of basic public services are poor in the Sahel countries. The region has a high rate of infant mortality (under 5 years old), and access to drinking water, primary health care or social protection is still limited. The provision of these services could accelerate the region’s development, but also increase the legitimacy of public institutions and citizen’s confidence in them. The decentralization and devolution of public services would therefore enable the provision of these services, while bringing elected representatives and administrations closer to their citizens, thanks to the transfer of resources and budgetary management to local authority level.

The objectives to be achieved in this sector are as follows:

• Improving people’s access to basic services
• Increasing local financial resources to improve services
• Increasing the capacity of authorities to ensure their mandates