President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This announcement was made in a State House Press Release by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.According to Ngelale, "the President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their... Read More »

Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her appreciation for the partnership with the African Development Bank Group during the celebration marking 60 years of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. President Suluhu specifically addressed Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank Group, acknowledging the Bank's significant role in Tanzania's infrastructure development by stating, "I have invited the Bank president for a special purpose."At the event held at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam city, attended by various high-level guests,... Read More »

The former Gambian Vice-President, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, recently conducted a briefing session for the forty observers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission in Togo. During the session, she emphasized the importance of professionalism and objectivity, stating, "We are here to monitor the election, not to give instructions or dictate things."Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang also encouraged a peaceful conduct of the upcoming legislative and regional elections in Togo, highlighting their significance in contributing to... Read More »

President Barrow warmly welcomed AUF Rector Professor Slim Khalmous and the Regional Director at State House in Banjul on Thursday morning. He thanked them for supporting the University of The Gambia with lecturers, noting the challenges of maintaining highly qualified lecturers. The President appreciated the confidence AUF has in The Gambia for hosting its annual conference."Students experience is a key aspect of what we are trying to do so that we can have expertise across the continent." - Vice-Chancellor of UTG, Professor Robinson"Our students will have the... Read More »

The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has announced the deployment of an Election Observation Mission to Togo. The mission, consisting of forty observers, is tasked with monitoring the legislative and regional elections set to take place on 29 April 2024."This mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections," stated Dr... Read More »

The President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has appointed career diplomat Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as his Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region. Ambassador Trabelsi brings to the role over 30 years of experience as a highly accomplished and distinguished diplomat.Ambassador Trabelsi, in response to his appointment, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am extremely honoured to be appointed by Dr. Adesina to this role. As an African, I am motivated to continue to serve our continent and to contribute to the... Read More »

In a significant move aimed at enhancing food security in Kenya, the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism has initiated a project set to benefit thousands of smallholder farmers in the country. The project, which involves a credit guarantee of $2 million, is expected to boost harvests and incomes for farmers in need of fertilizers.Marie Claire Kalihangabo, Coordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, highlighted the importance of the credit risk guarantee, stating, “The credit risk guarantee also provides finance directly to smallholder farmers at the last... Read More »

ECREEE, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, unveiled a new website on April 22, 2024. The website is designed to provide easy access to information on sustainable energy initiatives in the ECOWAS region and promote awareness of ECREEE's efforts in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in West Africa.The website features a user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation, mobile-friendly design, and updated content. It aims to provide users with easy access to information about ECREEE, its... Read More »

President Boakai Suspends The Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA)The President of the Republic, H. E Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has taken decisive action by suspending the Chairperson and Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) amidst allegations of financial misconduct and other malpractices.In a statement released from the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, President Boakai suspended Madam Edwina C. Zackpah, Mr. Israel Akinsanya, Mr. Zotawon D. Titus, Mr. James Gbarwea, and Mr. Osborne K. Diggs pending a... Read More »

Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union and Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, highlighted the challenges facing Africa, stating, "The African continent is currently facing the scourges of terrorism and violent extremism, as well as the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government."During a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, between the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne emphasized the impact of these issues on... Read More »

Ambassador El Gayly Mohamed Abdelhamid and Mr. Rufus N. Darkortey, Executive Director for Sudan at the African Development Bank, recently engaged in discussions at the Bank's headquarters in Abidjan. The meeting, held on April 4, 2024, focused on addressing Sudan's ongoing civil conflict and promoting sustainable development in the country.During the meeting, Ambassador Abdelhamid stressed the importance of achieving a ceasefire to bring back peace and stability to Sudan. He expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the Sudanese government and the... Read More »

President Barrow assured them of his Government's readiness to expand the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries, particularly in response to their shared aspiration for global prosperity, peace, and stability.President Barrow stated the critical roles of the diplomats in accomplishing these goals. He also called for collaboration to realize the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF NDP) - YIRIWA goals.In total, twenty-eight diplomats are as follows:1. H.E. Mr Fahri Turker Oba, Republic of Turkiye2. H.E.Mrs. Florbela Alhindo Paraiba,... Read More »

President Boakai Nominates Additional Officials To GovernmentApr 25 2024The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has nominated additional members of government affecting the Local Government of Margibi County and the Office of the Ombudsman. The nominations, where applicable, are subject to consent by the Liberian Senate.The nominees are: B. Lewis Kaine-, County Development Officer, Kakata City, Margibi County; Togea Samu Zarwea, County Administrative Officer Kakata City, Margibi County; Samuel N. Y Ketter, Commissioner, Cinta... Read More »

The St Helena Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will be hosting the annual British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Conference this year. Delegates from 10 parliaments and legislatures across the region will gather on St Helena to join the St Helena Branch for the 53rd BIMR conference. The theme of the conference is ‘Addressing Challenges to Sustainable Development in Times of Global Uncertainty’."It is a great honour for our island to be hosting the CPA BIMR conference for the first time ever! It’s a valuable opportunity to engage in... Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission's department for Political Affairs, Peacekeeping, and Security recently hosted a delegation from the African Union, UN Human Rights, and the EU delegation to the AU for strategic talks aimed at operationalizing the Africa Peace Support Missions. The focus of the meeting was on integrating and implementing the African Union Accountability and Compliance Framework (AUCF) into peacekeeping missions across the region to ensure seamless operations without human rights violations.Dr. Abdul-Fatau Musa, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, expressed... Read More »

A hearing on the bail application of Binance Holdings Ltd. and Tigran Gambaryan, the head of Binance’s Financial Crime Compliance department, was adjourned by a judge in Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja on April 23. The hearing is set to resume on May 17 when a decision regarding the bail is anticipated. Read More »

24April 2024. Lomé, Togo - Adding to the efforts already undertaken at both national and regional level, the ECOWAS Regional Veterinary Committee continues to reflect, under the facilitation of the Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC), on the best approaches to accelerate the control and eradication of this scourge in the region by 2030.The 4th meeting of the ECOWAS Veterinary Committee held in Lomé (Togo), from 18 to 19 April 2024, provided an opportunity for the veterinary services of ECOWAS Member States, including Mauritania and Chad, to discuss the progress made,... Read More »

The ECOWAS Women Peace and Security Regional Steering Group for 2024 was officially launched in Abuja, with a focus on sustaining the momentum towards monitoring and reporting on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in West Africa using the Continental Results Framework (CRF).Nigeria's commitment to women's leadership in peace and security was highlighted by H.E. Mrs. Barr. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Honorable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, who stated, "With robust national action plans and localized security resolutions, Nigeria is spearheading efforts... Read More »

Praia, April 24, 2024 – The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) came together to organize a regional capacity-building workshop on green hydrogen. The event, held in Praia on April 24 and 25, 2024, aimed to benefit Energy Directors from ECOWAS Member States.According to ECREEE, the regional strategy and action plans for green hydrogen emphasize the importance of enhancing the knowledge of various stakeholders. In response to this necessity, ECREEE took... Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has initiated a crucial workshop centered on the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) from April 23rd to 25th, 2024. The primary objective of the workshop is to validate the WENDU 2023 data and enhance regional responses to drug abuse challenges. Additionally, the workshop serves as a platform to reaffirm ECOWAS's dedication to monitoring and assisting Sierra Leone in tackling its drug abuse emergency related to the use of Kush.In her opening address, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian... Read More »