The West African Center for Public Policy (COAPP) officially launched its activities this Wednesday, April 29, in Senegal, with the ambition of strengthening the quality and, above all, the effectiveness of public action in the sub-region. The objective is to contribute to more effective, better-executed public policies that are adapted to West African realities.

COAPP aims to become a key player in knowledge production and decision support. Its missions include research, the development of strategic notes, capacity building, and technical support to public institutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, COAPP's Deputy Executive Director, Frédéric Ndecky, indicated that the institution had been operational since December 2024, but its leaders chose to consolidate their foundations before any public announcement. "We preferred to put in place solid work before officially presenting ourselves," he explained.

The event was also marked by the presentation of COAPP's first report on the public policy ecosystem in West Africa.

According to the deputy executive director, the report highlighted a major paradox: generally well-designed development strategies whose implementation remains limited. "Our countries do not lack quality strategies on paper. What is lacking is their effective implementation and, above all, the fulfillment of the needs for which these strategies were developed," he stated.

Among the main obstacles identified in the study is the deteriorating security situation in the sub-region. This situation forces states to devote a significant portion of their resources to military spending, often at the expense of essential sectors such as education and health.

"A military response alone is not enough. We must address the root causes, including youth unemployment, poverty and the feeling of social exclusion," insisted Mr. Ndecky, warning against an exclusively security-based approach.

For his part, Samuel Tabane, Director of Industrial Redeployment at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, welcomed the strategic support for public action, emphasizing the importance of an independent and in-depth analysis. He indicated that COAPP can play a key role in improving diagnostics.

According to him, the center is expected to conduct more in-depth analyses, going beyond traditional diagnoses, with an approach integrating social, political, and anthropological dimensions. "Industrial development, for example, requires a long-term vision based on a solid structural diagnosis," he stated.

Faced with common challenges, including insecurity, climate change, unemployment, and food crises, he stressed the need for increased cooperation among West African countries. "No state can meet these challenges alone. Regional cooperation is essential," he emphasized.

Advocating for the building of African expertise driven by local actors and rooted in the realities of the continent, Samuel Tabane invited academics, researchers, technical and financial partners as well as young people to get involved in this dynamic.