• Governments adopt the "Sal Commitments" to integrate childcare into development plans

• The declaration targets access, affordability, and quality across urban and rural areas

• Region faces low investment, poor infrastructure, and workforce shortages in childcare

In West Africa, childcare contributes to strengthening human capital, increasing parent productivity, and supporting economic growth. Its accessibility is vital for equitable development, yet public investment remains far below the 1% of GDP recommended by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

West African governments have adopted the "Sal Commitments" to promote childcare services as a pillar of human capital development and economic growth. The announcement was made in a World Bank statement on May 14. These commitments were agreed upon during a three-day regional conference held in Sal, Cape Verde.

The joint declaration aims to integrate childcare into national development strategies. It acknowledges that childcare is critical for early childhood development, gender equality, employment, and the economy. The commitments include practical steps to improve access, affordability, and quality of services, with a focus on urban, rural, and vulnerable communities.

Key commitments involve building inclusive childcare models, expanding the number of trained professionals, increasing public investment, and strengthening data systems to monitor progress.

“The Sal Commitments also underscore the urgency of addressing gender disparities in care work and enabling women’s full participation in the labor market – particularly in emerging sectors like the digital, green, and care economies,” the World Bank statement added.

Despite the benefits of childcare, West Africa still faces major challenges. These include insufficient funding, limited infrastructure, a shortage of skilled professionals, and persistent social norms and biases. For example, in Senegal and Ivory Coast, fewer than 1% of children under age three are enrolled in pre-kindergarten daycare programs.

Nonetheless, some progress has been made. In Burkina Faso, programs have been introduced to provide childcare in rural communities. Ivory Coast has implemented a community-based early childhood development approach, while Senegal is scaling up nationwide preschool programs.

Governments have committed to strengthening childcare systems and mobilizing more resources to expand access by 2030.