The 2023 West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) Report, focusing on statistics and trends in illicit drug supply and use, was officially launched on September 11, 2024, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The event was held in a hybrid format with both virtual and in-person participants. Read More »

USAID, in partnership with the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CCDG), recently conducted a capacity-building workshop focusing on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. The event was held from October 2 to October 4, 2024, aiming to enhance strategies for integrating gender considerations into peace and security efforts. Read More »

Congressman Rich McCormick has expressed surprise at the Nigerian government's treatment of Binance's Tigran Gambaryan, considering Nigeria's supposed "friendly" stance towards the United States. McCormick made these remarks during a podcast episode on October 1. Read More »

President Joseph Boakai has returned to Liberia after a series of official visits to Canada and the United States. The trip included participation in the United Nations General Assembly and meetings aimed at boosting international investment and support for Liberia. Read More »

The ten new members of the Board of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) participated in an information and presentation session on October 3, 2024, in Banjul, The Gambia. This session covered ERCA’s mandate and legal instruments and concluded with the election of their Chairperson. Read More »

ECOWAS, a regional organization funded by member states and various development partners, has emphasized the need for accountability in fund management. To enhance transparency and ensure compliance with international best practices, ECOWAS is working towards managing development partners' funds directly. Read More »

Experts from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gathered in Cotonou, Benin, from October 2 to 3, 2024. This meeting precedes the 19th Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, ICT, and Digitalisation. The focus was on evaluating progress in telecommunications and ICT projects facilitated by the ECOWAS Commission and approving a digital sector development strategy for 2024-2029. Read More »

Ten members of the inaugural Council of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) were sworn in on October 1, 2024, in Banjul. The ceremony was led by Honorable Judge Gbéri-Bè Ouattara, Vice-President of the Community Court of Justice, with H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the Commission, in attendance. Read More »

The Kédougou region in Senegal has advanced its efforts to enhance agricultural productivity through the commissioning of ten solar pumping systems. This initiative, executed by the NGO SEM Fund with support from ECREEE, is part of the ECOWAS Special Intervention Fund (ESIF). It aims to improve farmers' livelihoods in several communities, including Bandafassi, Damboucoye, and Ibel. Read More »

Applications for the 2025 Chevening scholarships are now open and will close on November 5, 2024. This program offers candidates a one-year fully funded Master’s degree study opportunity in the UK. Read More »

The 2024 Business Fair of the Federation of Business Women Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) concluded successfully in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event took place from September 25 to 27 and focused on empowering women entrepreneurs in West Africa. The fair ended with a gala dinner. Read More »

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia paid tribute to U.S. Senator Jack F. Reed in Providence, Rhode Island, on October 2, 2024. The event recognized Senator Reed's long-standing support for Liberians and his role in the passage of the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2019 (H.R. 1169). This legislation has allowed many Liberians in the United States to gain permanent residency. Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission has initiated a training program for personnel of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (SSMGB). The course, aimed at familiarizing new staff with the ECOWAS Staff Officers Handbook, is being conducted by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) at Azalai-Dunia Hotel in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. It includes 46 participants from both the SSMGB and Guinea-Bissau's Defence and Security Forces. Read More »

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, welcomed twelve new ambassadors on September 30, 2024, at the ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. The ambassadors presented their credentials to Dr. Touray as they were accredited to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Read More »

The St Helena Legislative Council is set to welcome Liam Laurence Smyth CB, a Senior Clerk from the House of Commons. This visit, organized in collaboration with the House of Commons Speaker’s Office, aims to provide technical advice to the Legislative Council. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to officially hand over the site for the construction of the Cavalla River Bridge on October 2, 2024. This bridge will connect Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, marking a significant step in ECOWAS's efforts to enhance regional transport connectivity, cross-border trade, economic cooperation, and integration across West Africa. Read More »

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio addressed business leaders, innovators, agricultural entrepreneurs, and multilateral institutions at the 2024 World Food Prize Foundation’s Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. Read More »

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) recently hosted a workshop at its headquarters in Praia, Cabo Verde. The event brought together representatives from key ECOWAS specialized agencies to discuss partnerships aimed at addressing the region's challenges in energy, water, agriculture, and gender mainstreaming. Read More »

Stoptober, the annual campaign aimed at helping people quit smoking, is returning this year. The initiative is encouraging smokers in St Helena to join millions worldwide who have successfully quit. Smoking remains a significant public health concern, causing 7 million deaths annually. Quitting smoking is considered one of the most effective ways to improve health and reduce the risk of serious illnesses. Read More »

Transport sector experts from ECOWAS and UEMOA member states, regional road haulage organizations, civil society, and technical partners convened in Cotonou, Benin, from September 26 to 27, 2024. The hybrid meeting aimed to address the persistent issue of overloading heavy goods vehicles, which contributes to road deterioration. Read More »