Senior Trade Officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member States convened in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 15th to 16th, 2024. The gathering aimed to consider regional instruments that could enhance regional economic integration and trade. Read More »

Access Bank Zambia Limited has announced the completion of its acquisition of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited, also known as Atlas Mara Zambia. This follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The two banks will continue to operate separately until all integration processes are finalised. Upon completion, the merged entity is expected to be among Zambia's top five banks by revenue, with potential to rank in the top three by 2027. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Directorate of Private Sector has assembled experts and stakeholders from the tourism industry for a five-day conference in Abuja, Nigeria. The gathering is focused on the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for ECOTOUR 19-29 and the ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation Regulator, with an aim to optimize resource use and improve operational efficiency. Read More »

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria, in partnership with the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser, held the Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum on Security and Defence” on May 15, 2024. The event took place at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The forum was themed “Reducing vulnerabilities through partnerships” and served as a preparatory meeting for the main Schuman Forum on Security and Defence, set to occur on May 28 and 29 in Brussels. Read More »

In an area where clean water access is often a challenge, a new drilling project promises to transform the lives of the Luumo Kosam Dairy Cooperative members in Chukun, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The Value Chain Foundation initiated this project with financial backing from ECOWAS and the Swiss Cooperation (DDC), as part of the Regional Program for Support to Farmer Organizations (PRAOP). Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), is hosting a validation meeting for the Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) study for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor from 14 to 16 May 2024 in Accra, Ghana. This three-day event convenes experts from various organizations and sectors to discuss the SDI study results, which include a comprehensive roadmap for the development of the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. Read More »

The inaugural West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST 2024) was officially launched on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The event is organized by the Commissions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in collaboration with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The first edition of ECOFEST will take place from September 21 to 28, 2024 in Abidjan, under the theme: “Culture, a catalyst for peace, diversity and economic and social integration... Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commemorated World Portuguese Language Day on May 10th with a vibrant celebration at its Main Hall in Abuja. The event underscored the importance of Portuguese as an official language and its cultural significance within the Lusophone countries in the community. Read More »

On May 9, 2024, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) conducted a validation workshop for its 2023-2027 Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan Report in Praia. The workshop was part of the Program Promoting a Climate-friendly Energy Market in West Africa (ProCEM-II), supported by GIZ. Read More »

Experts from ECOWAS Member States, regional organisations, and development partners convened in Accra, Ghana on May 9-10, 2024. The meeting was aimed at reviewing the railway component of the ECOWAS Regional Infrastructure Master Plan (RIMP) and ensuring harmonisation of railway infrastructure development within the ECOWAS region. Read More »

In an effort to implement a regional climate strategy, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, via its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, has joined forces with the National Council on Climate Change of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The collaboration resulted in a workshop aimed at socializing Nigeria’s long-term low-carbon development strategy. The event took place on May 7, 2024, in Abuja. Read More »

On May 10, 2024, Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of ECOWAS, embarked on a field visit to the Mansakonko region in The Gambia. This visit was part of her participation in the annual meeting of the steering committee of the regional project “Global Forest Transformation for Populations and Climate: A Focus on West Africa,” which took place on May 7, 2024, in Banjul. The project is funded by Swedish Cooperation and implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Read More »

The Directorate of Transport of the ECOWAS Commission recently convened with officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Banjul Accord Group for Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) to discuss the implementation of the Support Program for Air Transport Development in West and Central Africa (PASTA-CO) Project. The meeting took place in Lagos, Nigeria from May 7th to 9th, 2024. Read More »

The inaugural West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST) is set to take place from 21st to 28th September 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The festival is being organized by the Commissions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in collaboration with the Ivoirian Ministry of Culture and Francophonie. Read More »

The Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Mrs Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, initiated a three-day regional technical conference on Human Capital Development (HCD) in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday 8 May 2024. The conference was organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and included experts and focal points from Member States. The aim of this gathering was to reinforce the commitment of Member States, partners, and ECOWAS technical staff to Human Capital Development at both regional and national levels. Read More »

Government experts from ECOWAS member states convened in Lomé, Togo, from May 6 to 8, 2024, to scrutinize the draft Supplementary Act related to cooperation in suppressing illicit maritime activities in the ECOWAS region. Read More »

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, chaired the Annual meeting of the steering committee of the project “Global transformation of forests for populations and the climate: A focus on West Africa,” which took place on May 7 to 8, 2024, in Banjul – The Gambia. Read More »

The 14th Meeting of Focal Points of National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) on the implementation of the ECOWAS Regulation on Roaming commenced in Abuja, Nigeria on May 8, 2024. The two-day meeting aims to evaluate the progress made with the implementation of the Regulation C/REG.21/12/17 on Roaming on Public Mobile Communications Networks in the ECOWAS Space. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) are convening a meeting from May 8 to 10, 2024, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The gathering will bring together members of the Regional Organising Committee for the West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST). The purpose of this meeting is to discuss preparations for ECOFEST, slated for September 21 to 28, 2024, and finalise plans for the festival's launch on May 11, 2024. Read More »

The Directorate of Transport of the ECOWAS Commission will hold a coordination meeting with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Banjul Accord Group for Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) on the implementation of the Support Program for Air Transport Development in West and Central Africa (PASTA-CO) Project in Lagos, Nigeria from May 7th to 9th, 2024. Read More »