Government experts from ECOWAS member states convened in Lomé, Togo, from May 6 to 8, 2024, to scrutinize the draft Supplementary Act related to cooperation in suppressing illicit maritime activities in the ECOWAS region. Read More »

The Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Mrs Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, initiated a three-day regional technical conference on Human Capital Development (HCD) in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday 8 May 2024. The conference was organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and included experts and focal points from Member States. The aim of this gathering was to reinforce the commitment of Member States, partners, and ECOWAS technical staff to Human Capital Development at both regional and national levels. Read More »

The inaugural West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST) is set to take place from 21st to 28th September 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The festival is being organized by the Commissions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in collaboration with the Ivoirian Ministry of Culture and Francophonie. Read More »

Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc approved a record dividend payout of NGN125.59 billion at the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on May 8, 2024. The final dividend payment was set at NGN3.50 per share, bringing the total dividend for the 2023 financial year to NGN4.00 per share, marking the highest dividend payout by any bank. Read More »

The Directorate of Transport of the ECOWAS Commission recently convened with officials from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Banjul Accord Group for Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO) to discuss the implementation of the Support Program for Air Transport Development in West and Central Africa (PASTA-CO) Project. The meeting took place in Lagos, Nigeria from May 7th to 9th, 2024. Read More »

The government of Madagascar and the African Development Bank have reached a consensus to uphold the mid-term results of the Country Strategy Paper 2022-2026 and continue its strategic directions until 2026. This agreement was reached at a workshop held on May 6, 2024, in Madagascar, where the outcomes of the CSP mid-term review were discussed alongside an examination of the country's portfolio performance for 2024. Read More »

The Community Nursing and Health Promotion teams are preparing to host an informational stall at the Canister in Jamestown on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10:00 to 13:00. The event is part of a broader effort to raise awareness for World Hypertension Day, which this year carries the theme 'Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer'. Read More »

The African Development Bank Group and civil society organizations in the Central African Republic have pledged to collaborate for inclusive sustainable development in the nation. This significant partnership aims to ensure that the Bank's initiatives align with the needs and priorities of the Central African Republic's populace. The commitment emerged from a consultation meeting held in Bangui on April 30. Read More »

On May 10, 2024, Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of ECOWAS, embarked on a field visit to the Mansakonko region in The Gambia. This visit was part of her participation in the annual meeting of the steering committee of the regional project “Global Forest Transformation for Populations and Climate: A Focus on West Africa,” which took place on May 7, 2024, in Banjul. The project is funded by Swedish Cooperation and implemented with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Read More »

During the 2024 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the African Development Bank and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This agreement aims to strengthen their existing collaboration and reaffirms their shared commitment to deepen understanding of fragility and insecurity drivers, as well as promote actions that prevent conflicts and build resilience in Africa. Read More »

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank Group, has announced the creation of an Annual Africa Media Prize. The award aims to recognise and profile African journalists, correspondents and media houses that highlight Africa’s achievements and progress. Read More »

Development partners are set to convene in Paris on May 14, with the aim of pledging towards the $4 billion required to provide clean cooking access for 250 million African women by 2030. The Clean Cooking Summit will be co-chaired by Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, alongside President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, and Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. Read More »

In an effort to implement a regional climate strategy, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, via its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, has joined forces with the National Council on Climate Change of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The collaboration resulted in a workshop aimed at socializing Nigeria’s long-term low-carbon development strategy. The event took place on May 7, 2024, in Abuja. Read More »

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, has called for a transformation in media coverage of Africa and its development. He emphasized the need for balanced reporting during his keynote speech at the All Africa’s Media summit in Nairobi, which was attended by nearly 300 participants from across the continent. Read More »

By Michael Adaji, Communications Specialist Read More »

Experts from ECOWAS Member States, regional organisations, and development partners convened in Accra, Ghana on May 9-10, 2024. The meeting was aimed at reviewing the railway component of the ECOWAS Regional Infrastructure Master Plan (RIMP) and ensuring harmonisation of railway infrastructure development within the ECOWAS region. Read More »

On May 9, 2024, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) conducted a validation workshop for its 2023-2027 Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan Report in Praia. The workshop was part of the Program Promoting a Climate-friendly Energy Market in West Africa (ProCEM-II), supported by GIZ. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commemorated World Portuguese Language Day on May 10th with a vibrant celebration at its Main Hall in Abuja. The event underscored the importance of Portuguese as an official language and its cultural significance within the Lusophone countries in the community. Read More »

Kenya's President, William Ruto, has amplified his call for a significant increase in the African Development Fund, emphasizing the transformative effect of Fund-backed projects within his nation. The Fund operates as the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group. Read More »

The inaugural West African Festival of Arts and Culture (ECOFEST 2024) was officially launched on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The event is organized by the Commissions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in collaboration with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The first edition of ECOFEST will take place from September 21 to 28, 2024 in Abidjan, under the theme: “Culture, a catalyst for peace, diversity and economic and social integration... Read More »