A Systematic Review of Cash-Plus Programmes and Their Impact on Early Childhood Development Outcomes in Burkina Faso: An African Perspective, 2021–2026

This systematic review synthesises evidence on the impact of integrated ‘cash-plus’ programmes—which combine unconditional cash transfers with nutrition-specific education—on early childhood development (ECD) outcomes in Burkina Faso. It addresses a critical gap in understanding how multi-sectoral social protection can mitigate the multi-dimensional drivers of child malnutrition and developmental delay in complex, resource-constrained settings. The review was conducted in strict accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, and specialist databases were performed using predefined search strings. Eligible studies, published between 2010 and 2024, were screened against explicit inclusion criteria, with study characteristics and quality appraisals detailed in a summary table. A thematic synthesis of the rigorously identified literature indicates that cash-plus interventions yield more significant improvements in key ECD indicators—such as reduced stunting, improved dietary diversity, and enhanced caregiver stimulation practices—compared to standalone cash transfers. The integrated approach appears to more effectively address the concurrent economic and knowledge barriers faced by households. These findings underscore the importance of designing synergistic, multi-component programmes within national social protection systems. The review concludes that scaling up such integrated models is crucial for breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and building foundational human capital in Burkina Faso and similar Sahelian contexts.