The inception phase (August 2017-Febuary 2018) focused on the following objectives:
1. Identify and engage with a variety of regional and national stakeholders;
2. Document the existing knowledge base regarding data, policy, and programs;
3. Identify key evidence and data gaps constraining progress.
The inception work was conducted with a regional focus , with preliminary policy and programme analysis conducted at the country level for two focal countries (Burkina Faso and Nigeria). Two additional countries (Ghana and Senegal) are included in the main project. The focal countries were selected to include both high burden contexts and situations of rapid nutritional change, representing both Francophone and Anglophone countries in the region . The inception phase included stakeholder engagement and key informant interviews at regional and national level and a synthesis of the existing knowledge base across the West African region on nutrition indicators, their drivers, and related programs and policies. In addition, a regional consultation took place to i) generate consensus on major nutritional challenges in the region, ii) identify priorities for action and future research, and iii) develop and strengthen partnerships in the region.