In Niger’s capital, Niamey, where researchers, public health specialists and government officials discussed best practice in the treatment and prevention of meningitis, malaria and malnutrition, the three biggest health challenges for Niger and the Sahel region – an area that runs from the Atlantic coast of Senegal through a number of sub-Saharan African countries, including the southern region of Niger, to the Red Sea on the Sudanese and Eritrean coast.