Dr. Cheikh M. Faye, Director of the Countdown to 2030 and of the APHRC West Africa Regional Office, represented the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) at the 2025 WAHO Partners Forum (7–8 May) and the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS (9–10 May) in Praia, Cabo Verde. As a key technical partner to WAHO since 2017, APHRC has played a pivotal role in strengthening RMNCAH-N evidence generation and building the capacity of government analysts and academic institutions across the region.

During the Forum, Dr. Faye presented highlights from the 2025 Countdown Lancet Report, showcasing progress made and ongoing challenges in the ECOWAS region. His presentation underscored the urgent need for stronger health systems, sustainable domestic financing, and enhanced use of data to inform policy and programs. At the Ministerial Assembly, he contributed to discussions on strategies to mitigate the impact of recent USG funding cuts on national health systems, calling for increased regional commitment and investment. These engagements reaffirmed Countdown’s continued commitment to supporting ECOWAS countries in accelerating progress toward 2030 health and nutrition targets.