Lucie and David reflect on the 20th anniversary celebration of the West Africa Community of Practice (COP) in Niger, focusing on the broader context in which it took place. They discuss the practical and geopolitical challenges of working in the region, the importance of in-person engagement for building trust, and the contrasts between local and international ways of working. The conversation highlights the resilience of the COP and the deeper insights gained from engaging with complex, real-world environments.