ECOWAS holds workshop on revising personal data protection act

On July 15, 2024, the ECOWAS Commission commenced a workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, focused on revising the Supplementary Act on personal data protection and building capacity for data harmonisation and cross-border data flows. The workshop, hosted by the ECOWAS Commission, saw participation from representatives of Member States' ministries responsible for ICT and the digital economy, Data Protection Authorities, the African Union, the European Union, DPSE, and GIZ. Read More »

ECOWAS addresses challenges facing maritime coordination centres

Since the establishment of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) in 2014, the operationalization of the ECOWAS Maritime Coordination Centres (EMCCs) across maritime zones E, F, and G, as well as the West Africa Regional Maritime Coordination Centre (CRESMAO), has significantly contributed to reducing piracy and sea robbery incidents in the ECOWAS Maritime Domain (EMD). Despite these successes, the EMCCs face challenges that undermine their efficiency, such as unclear status, staffing issues, and funding constraints. As part of efforts to accelerate proper... Read More »

ECOWAS Vice President underscores women's role in peacebuilding at Kinshasa congress

The Vice President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Her Excellency Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, attended the International Congress on Conflict Mediation and Peace Building in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on July 16 and 17, 2024. Organized by the Women for Africa Foundation and the United Nations Alliance for Civilizations, the event emphasized women’s crucial role in peacebuilding. Read More »

ECOWAS hosts inaugural boundary commissions meeting in Accra

Over the years, ECOWAS Member States have initiated policies and legal frameworks to address migration management, border delimitation, security, and development of border regions. Many countries have established or strengthened National Boundary Commissions with border governance responsibilities. However, there is a real challenge in terms of strengthening synergies, the articulation of scale between actors, and the coordination of cross-border initiatives—a role that ECOWAS can validly play. It is against this background that the Directorate of Free Movement of Persons of... Read More »

ECOWAS holds annual meeting focusing on regional trade promotion

The Gambian Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, expressed his belief that intra-regional trade could create markets, stimulate industrial growth, and generate job opportunities for West African citizens. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Trade Promotion Organizations (TPO) Network of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Banjul, Gambia, he emphasized the importance of regional efforts to boost trade in West Africa. Read More »

Sierra Leone's president appoints new secretary amid praises for outgoing official

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio presided over the oath-taking ceremony of the new Secretary to the President, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima, at the Presidential Lodge in Hill Station, Freetown, on Friday, July 19, 2024. The President expressed hope and confidence that Dr. Gaima would bring his extensive expertise on governance to bear on his new role. Read More »

Chief Minister Julie Thomas congratulates new UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

On Friday, July 12, 2024, Chief Minister Julie Thomas extended her congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer on his recent appointment as Prime Minister of the UK, following Labour’s decisive victory in the recent General Election. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Thomas conveyed the warm greetings of the Government and people of St Helena. Read More »

Prime Minister inaugurates clean energy mini grid on Fogo Island

Fogo, Cabo Verde – July 18, 2024 – The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has announced the inauguration of an electrification project in Chã das Caldeiras on the island of Fogo, Cabo Verde. The project features a mini grid powered by solar photovoltaic energy and was developed in partnership with the local AgroCoopCha cooperative. Funding was provided by the Cabo Verde government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and ECREEE through the ECOWAS Special Intervention Fund (ESIF). This initiative provides universal... Read More »

President Boakai announces new nominations for key government positions in various agencies

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has announced additional nominations and appointments within the Liberian government. These changes impact several key institutions, including the Liberia Land Authority, William V. S. Tubman University, ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited, ArcelorMittal Holdings (Concessionaire), National Public Health Institute of Liberia, and the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA). Read More »

ECOWAS assesses progress of humanitarian aid in Togo amid flood relief efforts

The Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission conducted a four-day monitoring and evaluation mission to Togo from July 15th to 18th, 2024. The mission aimed to assess the impact of ECOWAS humanitarian response on communities affected by flooding and food insecurity, as part of efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Humanitarian Response Mechanism (EHRM). Read More »

AfDB partners with ECOWAS to strengthen early warning systems

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the ECOWAS Commission conducted a virtual technical launch of the Project on Strengthening ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Capability for Improved Stability and Crisis Prevention on July 16, 2024. The two-year project aims to enhance the technical capacity of the ECOWAS Commission's early warning and response mechanisms to detect, anticipate, and prevent human security crises in West Africa, thereby improving regional stability, investment, and socioeconomic development. Read More »

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