El Centro se creó con el fin de movilizar la opinión y los recursos mundiales en favor del desarrollo democrático y de proporcionar un espacio independiente para reflexionar de forma crítica sobre los retos que plantean los procesos de democratización y desarrollo en África Occidental. Asimismo,  pretende ofrecer alternativas y mejores prácticas para el sostenimiento de la democracia y el desarrollo en la región. El CDD trabaja en pro de un África Occidental gobernada democráticamente e integrada económicamente, que promueva la seguridad humana y el desarrollo centrado en las personas. La misión del centro es ser el principal catalizador y facilitador del análisis estratégico y la creación de capacidades para la democracia y el desarrollo sostenibles en la subregión de África Occidental.

La primera actividad que llevó a cabo Centro, fue una mesa redonda organizada en Londres en 1997 sobre el futuro democrático de Nigeria (entonces bajo una dictadura militar). Desde entonces, las actividades del CDD han crecido no sólo en Nigeria, sino en toda la región de África Occidental y en el resto del continente. El Centro continúa centrado en el trabajo de desarrollo de capacidades, el análisis de las políticas y la promoción, y constituye un punto de referencia de investigación sobre la gobernanza democrática, la seguridad humana y el desarrollo centrado en las personas en la región. Continúa siendo una institución fundamental para tender puentes entre los responsables políticos, los activistas de la sociedad civil y los académicos de África Occidental.

Established in 2005, Jaamacada Kismaayo (Kismayo University) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Kismayo (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Lower Juba. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia, Jaamacada Kismaayo (KU) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: under-250 students) coeducational Somali higher education institution. Jaamacada Kismaayo (KU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. KU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 2005, Jaamacada Kismaayo (Kismayo University) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Kismayo (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Lower Juba. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia, Jaamacada Kismaayo (KU) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: under-250 students) coeducational Somali higher education institution. Jaamacada Kismaayo (KU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. KU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Established in 1999, Jaamacadda SIMAD (SIMAD University) is a non-profit private higher-education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Mogadishu (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Banaadir. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia, Jaamacadda SIMAD (SU) is a small (uniRank enrollment range: 3,000-3,999 students) coeducational Somali higher education institution formally affiliated with the Islamic religion. Jaamacadda SIMAD (SU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 20 years old Somali higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 60-70% making this Somali higher education organization a somewhat selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. SU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, as well as administrative services.