WAHPSCon – The West African Health Policy and Systems Consortium, forms the umbrella for a cluster of networks and projects that share in common their focus on and engagement with health research, policy, practice, capacity building and advocacy. Its capacity building focus is not just on individuals but on the institutions, countries and sub-region within which they are embedded. The consortium aims at strengthening and improving health systems and policy processes to support improved health and well being in the countries of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and parts of Central Africa. WHAPSCon has a focus on the health of communities and individuals in general; and women, newborn, children and adolescents in particular. It brings together a vibrant group of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners drawing together experts and emerging researchers from myriad disciplines, including economics, sociology, anthropology and epidemiology.