From evidence to action: Investment cases for strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights financing in West and Central Africa
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This article provides an overview of UNFPA's investment case approach in West and Central Africa, drawing on national and subnational analyses from Chad, Ebonyi State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria (federal level), and Sierra Leone. Across these settings, the investment cases quantify the costs, benefits, financing gaps, and fiscal space opportunities associated with scaling priority sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. The evidence demonstrates consistently high economic returns and substantial long-term losses associated with inaction. It also highlights early policy traction through evidence-informed advocacy, including the creation of new budget lines, increased domestic allocations, and stronger stakeholder engagement around SRHR financing. Together, the findings provide a roadmap for integrating SRHR investment into national planning and public financial management systems, offering governments and development partners actionable strategies to advance sustainable and domestically financed SRHR programmes across West and Central Africa.
Author: Matthew Cummins
Institution: United Nations Population Fund
Language: English
Subfield: Finance
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7154697324
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