Approximately thirty experts have convened in Kano, Nigeria, from June 3 to 7, 2024, to review the logistics concept and existing statutes, policies, and strategic instruments related to the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) and the African Standby Force (ASF). The workshop aims to update, harmonize, and finalize the policy on ECOWAS Logistics Bases in accordance with AU/UN principles. Read More »

On May 28, 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Representation in Benin marked its 49th anniversary with a cocktail reception at the Salle Polyvalente of the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited to Benin, Beninese authorities, presidents and former presidents of institutions, eminent personalities, and members of the Union of ECOWAS Nationals. Read More »

On May 31, 2024, in Banjul, The Gambia, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), in collaboration with its partners, commissioned and inaugurated two energy efficiency light testing laboratories for the Gambia Standards Bureau (TGSB). These laboratories were established with support from ECREEE, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MOPE), TGSB, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The new facilities include a sphere energy efficiency testing laboratory and a photogoniometer light testing laboratory. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is organizing a Sectoral Thematic Workshop on Climate Change and the Environment 2024 from June 3 to 5 in Abuja, Nigeria. Organized by the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, the workshop aims to facilitate knowledge exchange among analysts from Member States and equip them with advanced analytical skills to develop effective strategies against environmental degradation and climate change. Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the German cooperation (GIZ), has initiated a women empowerment drive aimed at improving the accessibility and acceptability of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC). This initiative seeks to facilitate mobility and trade within the Community by identifying women groups in border communities and issuing them with Regional Biometric Cards. The goal is to reduce harassment and ease mobility for vulnerable individuals at borders. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its member states to expedite the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and abolish the 90-day stay limitation for community citizens. This call was made by Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration at ECOWAS, representing Ms. Massandje Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. Read More »

On May 30, 2024, in Praia, a handover ceremony was held to benefit vulnerable fishing communities on Santiago Island, Cabo Verde. This event marked the 49th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission. The Office of the Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Cabo Verde donated cooler boxes to the National Association of the Municipalities of Cabo Verde (ANMCV), targeting support for approximately 100 families. Read More »

In April 2022, the General Hospital launched a significant improvement project to address various operational issues. Funded by ring-fenced financial aid, this initiative focused on several key areas: Read More »

In an effort to enhance the accessibility and acceptability of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and facilitate mobility and trade within the Community, the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with German Cooperation (GIZ), has initiated a women empowerment drive. This initiative aims to identify women groups in border communities and facilitate the issuance of the Regional Biometric Card to reduce harassment and ease mobility among vulnerable persons at borders. Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the German Federal Foreign Office, the European Union, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Global Forum for Cyber Expertise (GFCE), organized a workshop on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). The event took place from June 3 to 4, 2024, in Accra, Ghana, and included representatives from Ministries responsible for Digital Economy/ICT and Foreign Affairs. Read More »

Nearly 15% of the world’s population, or more than a billion people, live with a disability, and 80% of these individuals reside in developing countries. In West Africa, there are estimated to be more than 60 million disabled people. Read More »

As part of the week commemorating the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin held the finals and small finals of the second edition of a competition for 'Geniuses in the Making' at the Idriss Deby ITNO Auditorium of the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Read More »

Following Monday’s presentation of the Appropriation Bill 2024 in the Legislative Council and the budget speech by Minister of the Treasury and Economic Development Portfolios, Mark Brooks, the Budget Book 2024/25 is now available to read on the SHG website via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Estimates-of-Recurrent-and-Capital-Expenditure-and-Revenue.pdf. Read More »

From May 26 to June 2, 2024, Mrs. Massandje TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, along with His Excellency Mr. Louis Blaise AKA-BROU, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea, led a high-level advocacy mission to safeguard the Fouta Djallon Mountains. The delegation included members of the Fouta Djallon Mountains Integrated Management Programme based in Conakry. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its partners are leveraging digital innovation to prepare the youth for self-development, empowerment, and regional development. This initiative was highlighted at the Youth-Voices-for-Change Forum, which commenced on June 5, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. The forum aims to harness youth energies through digital innovations to address challenges such as unemployment, irregular migration, insecurity, educational gaps, healthcare issues, poverty, criminality, poor governance, misinformation, and violent extremism. Read More »

Access Bank has been recognized as the ‘Best Trade Partner Bank West Africa 2024’ by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The award was presented at the Global Trade Partners Meeting (GTPM), held from May 7-9, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain. This recognition underscores Access Bank's notable performance and commitment to advancing trade finance across the continent. Read More »

Diabetes Week is scheduled from Monday, June 10 to Sunday, June 16, 2024. The Health Promotion and Community Nursing teams are focusing on raising awareness about diabetes during this period. This year's campaign theme is "Talk about the health checks you need when you have diabetes." Read More »

The new Coordinator of the United Nations System in Guinea, Mrs. Kristèle Younès, visited His Excellency Ambassador Louis Blaise AKA-BROU, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea, on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the ECOWAS Office in Conakry. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has validated a Regional Action Plan for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities for the 2022-2030 period. This decision was reached by ministers responsible for disability inclusion at the conclusion of a two-day hybrid meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 6, 2024. Read More »

The youth of West Africa are advocating for the establishment of innovation hubs across various ECOWAS member states, increased investment in digital entrepreneurship, and grassroots initiatives to enhance peace and security through digital technology. They also emphasize the importance of incorporating training in new technologies into school curricula from an early age through partnerships with national education ministries. Read More »