The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Rice Observatory is holding its first Annual General Meeting from May 21 to May 23, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The event is themed “Aligning goals and charting a roadmap to accelerate the growth of a competitive rice sector in West Africa.” Read More »

Following a meeting with rice importers in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has disapproved any increase in the price of rice, stating that prices will remain unchanged pending further review. The Government of Liberia has strongly advised against hoarding this essential commodity and prohibited cross-border transfer or transshipment from Liberia. Read More »

In its bid to boost free trade and foster trade integration, the ECOWAS Department for Economic Affairs and Agriculture organized a train-the-trainer workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) of the National Committee of Origin Recognition (NCOR) and sensitized the private sector in Monrovia, Liberia from May 16 to 17, 2022. Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission launched a Pilot Course on the Protection of Civilians in Peace Support Operations on May 20, 2024, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana. The initiative received financial backing from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Read More »

A sense of celebration filled the air, mingled with the rich scent of fresh pineapple, as guests arrived at the Promo Fruits Pineapple Processing Factory in Allada, approximately an hour’s journey from Cotonou, Benin. Held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, the long-awaited ceremony celebrating the expansion of the pineapple juice factory was a resounding success. The event was attended by over 140 people, including several dignitaries such as representatives of the Minister of State in charge of Development and Coordination of Government Action, Mr. Rachidi B. Radji; the Minister... Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened a crucial hybrid meeting on Monday, May 20, 2024, to officially launch the Regional Nutrition Agenda. The event aimed to integrate nutrition into agricultural policies and strategies, marking a significant step forward in addressing nutritional challenges in the region. Read More »

Daniel Eriksson, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International, a global anti-corruption nonprofit organization, stated that in nations plagued by corruption, victims may find themselves obstructed from achieving justice. Eriksson expressed this sentiment in a press release dated January 30, which announced the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. The index positioned Nigeria at rank 145 out of 180 in terms of corruption levels, with 180 indicating the highest level of corruption. Read More »

Policymakers and businesses in West Africa now have an online tool to track their countries’ trade competitiveness and find new business opportunities in the region, with the launch of the West African Competitiveness Observatory. Read More »

Officials from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are currently on a four-day learning mission to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission. The mission was officially launched on May 21, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, by H.E. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission. Read More »

The Vice-President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended the cooperation between the West African regional organization and Germany. Presiding over discussions on political cooperation and development between the ECOWAS Commission and Germany on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, Mrs. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja called for further strengthening of their bilateral partnership in various areas in the coming years. Read More »

The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) conducted an advocacy and sensitization meeting on Competition and Consumer Protection laws in Monrovia, Liberia, from May 20-22, 2024. The event aimed to discuss and analyze existing legal and regulatory provisions on competition in Liberia, identify gaps, and collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to develop effective competition and consumer protection laws. Read More »

A three-day workshop, held from May 15 to 17, 2024, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, was organized by the ECOWAS Centre for Gender and Development (ECGD). The event brought together experts from ECOWAS, COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), EAC (East African Community), women users of the 50 Million African Women Speak Platform (50MAWSP), and partners such as the Spanish Cooperation, the African Development Bank (AfDB), USAID West Africa, and the UN Women Office for West and Central Africa. Read More »

The ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Center, in collaboration with the National Agency for Employment Promotion of Benin, will organize the 6th annual forum of national volunteer agencies in West Africa. The event is scheduled to take place in Cotonou, Benin from May 27-29, 2024. The primary objective of this gathering is to foster discussions and advocate for innovation in volunteering across the ECOWAS Region under the theme “Innovating for Impact: Transforming Volunteering through Innovation.” Read More »

On October 12, 2023, following a veterinary risk assessment by the Environment and Natural Resources Planning (ENRP) department regarding outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in South Africa, the St Helena Government (SHG) implemented a prohibition on the importation of all poultry and poultry products from South Africa. This measure aimed to prevent the introduction of HPAI into St Helena. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is hosting the District 94 Toastmasters 2024 Conference from May 22 to 25 at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. This event is part of the association’s centenary celebrations under the theme “Building Bridges with Words.” The opening ceremony was attended by H.E. Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President representing H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who emphasized ECOWAS's commitment to regional integration through platforms such as Toastmasters. Read More »

Following an eventful week of discussions and engagement, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Conference concluded on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Delegates departed St Helena after a six-day visit to the island. Read More »

On May 28, 2024, Vice President of Liberia Jeremiah Kpan Koung paid a courtesy call on Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio. The visit aimed to observe and learn from Sierra Leone's efforts in transformational and human capital development. Read More »

The Republic of Liberia's Executive Mansion in Monrovia announced that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has nominated and appointed additional members to various government positions. These appointments impact the National Security Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, Booker Washington Institute, Harbel College, and the Office of the President. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate where applicable. Read More »

On May 28, 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its 49th anniversary. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, delivered a message reflecting on the achievements and challenges faced by the organization since its inception. Read More »

Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, has been named the 'Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa' at the International Banker 2024 Banking Awards. This marks his second consecutive year receiving this accolade. The award, featured in the Spring 2024 issue of International Banker Magazine, coincides with Dr. Onyeagwu's completion of his five-year tenure as Group Managing Director and CEO on May 31, 2024. Read More »