The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken steps to address the increasing issue of substance abuse in Africa. The 15th Biennial International Conference on Drugs, Alcohol, and Society in Africa was held from October 9–10, 2024, in Abuja. This event was co-organized with the Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA) and gathered policymakers, researchers, and health professionals to discuss strategies for improving access to treatment for substance use disorders. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held its 2024 annual meeting of heads of national offices from October 8 to 11 in Lomé. The meeting focused on enhancing accountability, openness, and reporting processes using the Aid Management Platform (AMP). Read More »

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., led a two-day Cabinet retreat in Monrovia from October 9-10, 2024. The event aimed to address Liberia's economic challenges and set strategic priorities for the fiscal year 2025. Key government officials participated in discussions centered on budget alignment with growth objectives and fostering inclusive development. Read More »

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. of Liberia has accepted the resignation of Amin Modad, who served as the Minister of Commerce & Industry. The resignation comes after concerns arose regarding a vehicle procurement that exceeded the government's estimated cost for ministerial transportation. Read More »

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio participated in the Economic Development Assembly held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The two-day event brought together heads of state, leaders from public and private sectors, and civil society representatives to promote financial investments aimed at eradicating extreme poverty across Africa. Read More »

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia has issued Executive Order No. 136, extending the provisions of a previous order and establishing the National Railway Authority (NRA). This move underscores the government's focus on developing and managing Liberia's rail infrastructure. Read More »

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia has signed Executive Order No. 137, amending a previous order to bolster the country's renewable energy sector. This new directive aims to develop the St. Paul River 2nd Hydro Power Plant Project (SP2) and a Solar Independent Power Producer initiative. Read More »

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. of Liberia has accepted the resignation of Mr. Christopher S. Peters, Sr., who served as Officer-In-Charge of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). The resignation is effective immediately. Read More »

The 19th Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, ICT, and Digitalization took place on October 4, 2024, in Cotonou, Benin. The event was preceded by a gathering of NICT experts from member states on October 2 and 3. The ministerial meeting was chaired by Madame Aurélie Adam Soule Zoumarou, Benin’s Minister of Digital Affairs. It saw participation from Commissioner Sediko Douka, responsible for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitization at ECOWAS, along with Digital Affairs Ministers from Cabo Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Read More »

His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of Liberia, inaugurated a three-day Cybersecurity Conference in Monrovia. The event, organized by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority at the Sinkor Palace Hotel, aims to tackle the increasing threat of cybercrime and develop strategies to strengthen Liberia’s cybersecurity. Read More »

The court case involving Michael Thorpe has been adjourned. The decision was made on October 9, 2024. Further details about the reasons for the adjournment or the new date for the proceedings have not been disclosed at this time. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made strides in regional integration and trade by hosting a capacity-building workshop for judicial officials of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The two-day event took place on October 3-4, 2024, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja. It focused on equipping judges, registrars, and legal officers with skills necessary to interpret dispute resolution mechanisms under both the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and ECOWAS frameworks. Read More »

Sierra Leone's President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has received letters of credence from three diplomats at the State House Credential Room. The diplomats included the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ms. Josephine Gauld LVO, The Gambia's newly designated High Commissioner, Madam Claudiana A. Cole, and the European Union (EU) Ambassador, Jacek Jankowski. These representatives expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Sierra Leone. Read More »

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio bid farewell to four newly appointed ambassadors and a high commissioner at the State House in Freetown on October 8, 2024. The diplomats, having received parliamentary approval, were presented by Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Read More »

The Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) conducted its 2024 lecture on October 8 at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. The event, themed “Consolidating Democracy and Integration in ECOWAS: the Journey So Far,” featured a lecture by H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. Read More »

Andy Greenberg, author of "Tracers in the Dark," said that the Nigerian government held Binance employee Tigran Gambaryan "illegally" after inviting him to Nigeria for compliance meetings. Greenberg shared his statement during a podcast episode on October 1. Read More »

State House, Freetown, Monday 7 October 2024 – The Presidential Council for Delivering Feed Salone has briefed President Julius Maada Bio on the progress of the Feed Salone initiative. The Council highlighted achievements and emphasized the importance of climate-smart agricultural practices. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially commenced the construction of a bridge over the Cavally River, marking a significant step in enhancing infrastructure between Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia. The site handover to the contractor and supervising consultant took place on October 3, 2024, at the Prollo border. This project is expected to last 24 months and aligns with ECOWAS's Vision 2050 goals to boost regional trade, transport connectivity, and economic cooperation across West Africa. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently held its 8th Heads of Immigration Meeting in The Gambia. The primary focus was on accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and discussing the repeal of the 90-day stay limit for Community Citizens within member states. Read More »

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 »