The World Bank and the European Union have pledged more than $6 billion to boost economic growth in Africa’s Sahel region.

The announcement comes at the start of a mission to the region led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank president Jim Yong Kim.

The delegation will be meeting with the leaders of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad for talks on peace, security and resilience.

UN Radio’s Jérôme Longué spoke to André-Michel Essoungou, who’s travelling with the delegation. He explains that the visit seeks to highlight the region’s challenges but also represents a show of support to the countries in the Sahel.

Duration:  3'32"