+13
Region · West Africa
Western Sahel
A semiarid belt south of the Sahara, home to Muslim pastoralists and nomads who are among the least reached in the world, battered by droughts and armed groups.
6 countries
198 peoples
2.5% evangelicals
The 6 flags of the region. Tap one to open the country.
Gospel reach among the 198 peoples
146Unreached · 73.7% of peoples
52reached peoples
2.5%evangelicals (weighted average)
193Without complete Bible
- 106 Unreached 53.5%
- 40 Minimally reached 20.2%
- 2 Superficially reached 1%
- 44 Partially reached 22.2%
- 6 Significantly reached 3%
Largest unreached peoples:
Hausa 14.7M
Bambara 7.8M
Wolof 6.7M
What it is
The Western Sahel comprises 6 countries in the interior of West Africa, between the Sahara Desert and the wetter southern savannas: Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. The term Sahel comes from Arabic and means shore or edge, the name given to the semiarid belt separating the Sahara from the greener regions to the south.
It is one of the most Islamized regions on the African continent, with a strong presence of nomadic and seminomadic peoples such as the Fulani and Tuareg, who cross borders in search of pasture for their herds. Life in the Sahel is marked by recurring drought, fragile agriculture and, in recent years, instability and armed conflict.
Of the Western Sahel’s 198 ethnic groups, 146 are still considered unreached, the highest proportion among all subregions in this survey. Only 2.9% of the population identifies as evangelical, and 193 of the region’s 257 languages still have no Bible translation.
Pray for this belt of Africa where the church is still small, and where entire peoples remain without any Christian witness in their own language.
Context and characteristics
Sahel belt. A semiarid region serving as a transition between the Sahara Desert and the wetter savannas to the south.
Nomadic and seminomadic peoples. Groups such as the Fulani and Tuareg cross national borders in search of pasture for their herds.
Deep Islamic influence. It is one of the African continent's most predominantly Islamic regions.
Drought and fragile agriculture. Recurring periods of drought threaten the livelihoods of the region's rural communities.
Recent instability. Several countries in the region face armed conflict and insecurity in rural areas.
Countries in this region
Peoples overview
Peoples of the region
6Countries
198people groups
146unreached
2.5%evangelicals (weighted average)
- 106 Unreached 53.5%
- 40 Minimally reached 20.2%
- 2 Superficially reached 1%
- 44 Partially reached 22.2%
- 6 Significantly reached 3%
Compiled from the data of each country in this region.
The Bible in the languages of the region
257languages spoken
64With complete Bible
193Without complete Bible
16With no translation at all
- 64 With complete Bible 24.9%
- 177 Only portions of the Bible 68.9%
- 16 With no translation at all 6.2%
Source: Joshua Project and Progress.Bible. Estimates, may vary. Compiled from the data of each country in this region.
Unreached peoples of this region 146 in total
What to pray for
Intercession
For the Western Sahel's 146 unreached people groups, the highest proportion among African subregions.
For Bible translation into the region's 193 languages that still have no Scripture.
For nomadic peoples such as the Fulani and Tuareg, who cross borders without access to the gospel.
For the region's small church, representing only 2.9% of the population.
For families affected by drought and fragile agriculture in the Sahel.
For peace in rural areas affected by armed conflict and insecurity.
For workers willing to bring the gospel to nomadic communities that are difficult to reach.