While taking into account the problems and challenges of the region, the SWAC along with its African partners has developed a prospective vision of West Africa which focuses on the identification and promotion of the dynamics of change as well as the drivers of change. Today, the SWAC’s mission is to help identify and address strategic questions related to medium- and long-term development in West Africa.Together with governments, regional institutions and civil society/private sector organisations, the Sahel and West Africa Club supports the development and implementation of action-oriented policies and investments that take into account the complementarities between local, national and regional levels. It supports West African initiatives to promote medium- and long-term development.©OECD Observer No 267 May-June 2008