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 »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to participate in the mid-term review of the WURI project's phase II, as organized by the World Bank. The regional workshop, scheduled from May 6 to 8, 2024, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, aims to gather key stakeholders to assess the progress of the project and set the course for its future.The workshop will focus on various objectives, as stated by the organizers: "build knowledge and capacity on specific operational themes, share experiences and best practices between participating countries, agree on principles... Read More »

The Commissions of ECOWAS and WAEMU have ratified the seminal Action Plan of the ECOWAS-WAEMU Cooperation Agreement, aimed at rigorously enforcing competition regulations across West Africa. Read More »

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended 31st March 2024, showcasing impressive financial growth amid challenging market conditions. According to Zenith Bank, the submitted unaudited statement of account to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on May 3, 2024, highlighted significant progress in both the top and bottom lines.Interest income played a crucial role in the bank's success, with Zenith Bank noting a substantial 155% growth from the previous year. This growth in interest income, reaching ₦489 billion in Q1 2024, was attributed to... Read More »

The 2024 Industry Engagement Forum, themed "Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains and Driving Investment through Partnerships: Accelerating Equitable Access to Quality-Assured Sustainable Health Products," is set to take place from May 7-9, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria. The forum aims to accelerate equitable access to urgently needed health products through collaborative partnerships and to facilitate investment opportunities to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing.Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, PVAC National Coordinator, emphasized the importance of industrializing the health care... Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is hosting a three-day technical conference on Human Capital Development (HCD) from 8th -10th May in Accra, Ghana. The conference aims to engage with Member States’ focal points, partners, and ECOWAS technical staff on the importance of prioritizing HCD in social and economic agendas at regional and national levels.The 2024 ECOWAS HCD Technical Conference will bring together Member State HCD focal points, technical staff from the Commission, and key stakeholders with expertise and interest in HCD. External... Read More »

The launch of the National Platforms of the Republics of Liberia and Sierra Leone for the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ECBCSP 2023-2027) marks a significant step towards improving the lives of Community Citizens in border areas of Member States.In Monrovia, the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, Amb. Josephine Nkrumah, representing Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, highlighted the importance of the launch, stating that it will kick-start robust implementation between Liberia and its neighbouring States. Meanwhile, in Freetown, the... Read More »

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea, H.E. Mr Louis Blaise AKA-BROU, recently welcomed three Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary accredited to the Republic of Guinea at the ECOWAS Office in Conakry.HE Abbassador AKA-BROU engaged in private discussions with each diplomat, focusing on the transition process in Guinea and the support of ECOWAS and its partners for a peaceful and successful transition. He also emphasized ECOWAS's commitment to assisting the Transition authorities in achieving an inclusive and peaceful transition.The Ambassadors, including... Read More »

Zenpay Limited, a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc, has partnered with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to launch the SMARTAfCFTA Portal aimed at enhancing trade within Africa. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Chairman of Zenpay Limited, and His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, at the Zenith Bank Headquarters in Lagos.Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of increasing intra-African trade. He stated, "In Africa, intra-African trade... Read More »

His Excellency, Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia and Chairman of the 15th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Islamic Summit, expressed gratitude and praise to all involved in the successful hosting of the historic Summit, held in The Gambia.President Barrow commended the efforts of the Secretariat of the OIC in Saudi Arabia and The Gambia for their dedication in ensuring the Summit's success, stating, "We are most thankful to everyone involved in the process for making this dream come true in such a remarkable manner."Acknowledging the... Read More »

President Adama Barrow of The Republic of The Gambia, also serving as the Chairman of the 15th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Islamic Summit, delivered a heartfelt address to esteemed attendees on May 4, 2024.Barrow began his speech by warmly welcoming all the dignitaries, delegates, and guests to the summit, expressing his honor and privilege to host the event in The Gambia. He extended gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia for his support in making the summit possible.Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Muslim world, Barrow... Read More »

Banjul, The Gambia, Saturday 4 May 2024 – Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio joined other Heads of State at the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in The Gambia for the 15th summit themed "Enhancing Unity and Solidarity Through Dialogue for Sustainable Development".President Bio expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow and the Government of Saudi Arabia for hosting the conference, stating that Sierra Leone was proud to be part of the diverse community bound by shared values and aspirations. He highlighted the significance of the conference in fostering... Read More »

His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, participated in the 15th Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) held in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia on May 4, 2024. During the event, President Bio delivered a statement where he expressed his thoughts on various issues.President Bio stated, "I am pleased to be part of this important gathering of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, where we have the opportunity to discuss critical matters affecting our nations."The two-day engagement of the OIC was attended by leaders from Islamic... Read More »

The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) recently conducted an information and sensitization session in Côte d’Ivoire to disseminate Community Provisions on Competition and Consumer Protection. The delegation from ECOWAS/ERCA, led by Commissioner Massandje Toure-Litse, engaged with national stakeholders in Abidjan on April 29 and 30, 2024.During the session, Commissioner Massandje Toure-Litse and the ECOWAS experts briefed stakeholders on ERCA’s mandate, intervention scope, and ongoing activities. They also discussed collaboration frameworks with Member States,... Read More »

State House, Banjul, 3 May 2024: H.E. President Barrow presided over a conferment ceremony to honour two distinguished personalities. The Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, was bestowed an Insignia of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic Of The Gambia. At the same time, an insignia of the Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia was conferred on the Outgoing World Bank Team Leader for The Gambia, Dr Samuel Lantei Mills."The honorary conferment recognises their profound achievements in their respective fields... Read More »

The African Development Bank and Invest in Africa have jointly launched the MicroGREEN project to provide livelihood opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable groups in Ghana and Senegal. Titled "Strengthening Women, Youth and People with Disabilities’ Micro Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources (MicroGREEN)," the project aims to generate up to 500 green job opportunities while offering essential business development services.Eyerusalem Fasika, Ghana Country Manager for the Bank, emphasized the institution's commitment to addressing climate change and... Read More »

ECOWAS and Algeria have agreed to hold regular discussions on the political and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the plight of irregular migrants. This commitment was announced by H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ahmed ATTAF, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, following their meeting in Algiers on April 23-26, 2024.During the meeting, Dr Omar Alieu Touray expressed his satisfaction at the willingness and commitment of the Algerian authorities to contribute to resolving... Read More »

President Barrow received a briefing on the Senior Officials and Ministerial Sessions, setting the pace for the Leaders’ Summit this weekend, 4-5 May 2024. The OIC Secretary General, Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, and his team updated President Adama Barrow on the Technical and Ministerial meetings at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.Secretary-General Taha congratulated and commended President Barrow for the progress made since his last visit to The Gambia. He remarked, “Since my last visit, the level of development achieved deserved... Read More »

The Regional Fund for Agriculture and Food (RFAF) recently held its 2nd Supervisory Board meeting where important decisions were made regarding the operationalization and management of the fund. In a press release, the RFAF_SB 2024 announced, "Regional Fund for Agriculture and Food (RFAF): the 2nd Supervisory Board Validates and Adopts the Operationalisation and Management Instruments."The validation and adoption of these operationalization and management instruments signify a significant step forward for the RFAF in fulfilling its mandate to support agriculture and food... Read More »

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank Group, has called for a "bold and innovative approach" from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to tackle the evolving challenges facing the world. Speaking at the Islamic Development Bank’s 50th-anniversary symposium, Adesina emphasized the need for collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges.Adesina highlighted the African Development Bank's commitment to its transformative High 5 priorities, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He stated,... Read More »