Sal Island, Cape Verde, will host an international conference on childcare in West Africa from May 12 to 14, 2025. The event, organized by the Cape Verdean government and the World Bank, brings together West African policymakers and international experts at the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort.

Under the theme “Strengthening Child Care Facilities in West Africa: Challenges and Opportunities”, the conference positions itself as a critical platform for public policies. The final document, “Salt Commitments”, will define concrete goals for each participating nation.

The goal is to discuss strategies for expanding a network of affordable daycare centers and kindergartens, combating poverty and helping women enter the labor market. The meeting aims to share experiences between African countries and global institutions, with a focus on sustainable models.

The conference comes at a time when eight out of ten children, without access to childcare, live in countries considered problematic due to extreme poverty rates. In Africa, the lack of infrastructure forces many mothers to abandon their jobs, perpetuating these cycles of poverty.

The World Bank emphasizes that daycare centers are a vital tool for economic development and gender equality. Cape Verde, the event's host, will share its experiences with child social inclusion.

The meeting will focus on sustainable financing models and public policies for early childhood. Countries such as Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria will present success stories and the challenges faced in their countries. Cape Verde's Director-General for Social Inclusion, Ednalva Cardoso, emphasizes the urgency of creating inclusive solutions by exchanging regional best practices.

The crisis is compounded by the lack of data on the specific needs of children with disabilities. Experts warn that without significant investment in childcare, Africa risks losing a generation. The conference will also address caregiver training and public-private partnerships. The event marks a crucial step toward the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in Africa.

The lack of childcare in Africa prevents millions of women from entering the workforce. Several studies indicate that every dollar invested in childcare generates up to $17 in economic returns. Countries like Cape Verde have already implemented pilot programs, but the continental scale is insufficient.

The World Bank estimates that only 20% of African children have access to formal services. The pandemic has exacerbated the situation by increasing inequalities due to the closure of informal care spaces, forcing many families to rely on community networks, placing a burden on grandparents and adolescents.

Director Ednalva Cardoso highlighted the need for intersectoral policies. Health, education, and the economy must work together to ensure accessible services.

In West Africa, high fertility rates are putting pressure on already fragile systems. A 2020 report revealed that mothers without childcare work an average of 30% fewer hours. The Sal conference will propose solutions such as social vouchers and tax incentives for companies. The goal is to ease women's domestic burden and boost productivity.

The document "Salt Commitments"will prioritize the expansion of public daycare centers in rural areas. African governments should allocate at least 1% of GDP to childcare by 2030. Partnerships with NGOs and churches will be encouraged to maximize reach. Cape Verde will share its model of multipurpose community centers for other countries to analyze.

Training professionals specialized in child development is another goal. Countries like Côte d'Ivoire have reported success with caregiver certification programs. The World Bank is also proposing regional funds to subsidize low-income families. The idea is to replicate initiatives like Ghana's, which reduced early school dropout rates by 40%.

Technology will play a central role, with digital platforms for scheduling appointments and monitoring quality. Kenya's experiences with mobile apps will be discussed as case studies. The conference will also advocate for the inclusion of children with disabilities in national policies. The creation of legal measures for paid parental leave will also be on the agenda.

The Sal conference represents a milestone in the fight for universal childcare in Africa. The proposals presented reflect the urgency of combating structural inequalities. Cape Verde emerges as a bridge between international expertise and local realities.

Success will depend on the practical implementation of the “Salt Commitments"Governments, the private sector, and civil society must act in concert. We must not forget that the continent's economic future is closely linked to the well-being of its children.