Dear User,

Settlement dynamics have profoundly reshaped the social and economic geography of West Africa over the past 60 years. Urbanisation and the development of dense urban networks are the most spectacular demonstrations of population redistribution. To better analyse and describe these dynamics at the regional level the Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat (SWAC/OECD) has used new and homogenous urbanisation data and modeling.
The data presented here has been compiled from various sources, harmonised and further developed over the course of a two-year programme on “Settlement, market, and food security”. The final report concludes a series of studies on the West African settlement and market dynamics and presents key issues for policy makers. The report is soon available on the SWAC website.

The data of the Statistical, Mapping and Regional Analysis Tool — SMART illustrate these dynamics and transformations. SMART allows you to map, follow and compare key settlement data for the 17 West African countries and country groups between 1950 and 2050. By linking this data with agricultural performance it also provides examples on how settlement dynamics change the way we interpret past trends and assess future potential. We consider SMART as work in progress and encourage users to provide feedback, ideas and suggestions to help us further develop and broaden it. Data can be downloaded as excel file; graphics and maps are available as jpeg files.
Enjoy using SMART!

Laurent BOSSARD, Director, Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat