The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission launched the National Platform for the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme 2023–2027 on June 10, 2024, in Praia, Cabo Verde.
At the launch event, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, conveyed greetings from ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray to participants. “The ECOWAS Cross-border Cooperation support programme is not for a few of the Member States, but it’s for all the Member States,” Mr. Siaw-Boateng emphasized. He noted that the programme began in 2006 and has had several phases, with the latest spanning from 2023 to 2027.
Initially involving nine Member States—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo—each received a $100,000 grant for identified projects. “The programme is now extended to Cabo Verde, Liberia and Sierra Leone,” Mr. Siaw-Boateng announced. The initiative aims to enable countries with contiguous borders to implement projects that benefit community citizens in alignment with ECOWAS's vision of transitioning from a community of states to a community of people.
The launch gathered representatives from various stakeholders including Immigration authorities; the Ministry of Family, Inclusion and Social Development; the Ministry of Finance/ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee; Directorate General for Consular Affairs and Migration; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; Ministry of Territorial Cohesion; and Civil Society Organisations.
Mr. Siaw-Boateng assured platform members of ECOWAS's commitment to implementing their identified project: “The project you have identified during this period is for the grant of a hundred thousand US Dollars which the President of the ECOWAS Commission has approved for implementation.” He added that there would be a follow-up visit to assess these results "for visibility not only of ECOWAS but also for Cabo Verde."
Dr. Isa Morais, Coordinator of the ECOWAS National Unit in Cabo Verde, highlighted the significance of this meeting as a milestone towards greater regional integration and multilateral cooperation in West Africa. She remarked that for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Cabo Verde facing challenges in adapting community initiatives, this platform symbolizes collective commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity without leaving anyone behind.
Dr. Morais noted that Cabo Verde joining the Cross-Border Cooperation programme would facilitate implementing projects aimed at improving living conditions for ECOWAS nationals in Cabo Verde through initiatives such as "Strengthening Opportunities and Fostering Integration: Regular Stay, Economic Activity and Social Participation of Immigrants from ECOWAS Countries in Cape Verde." She stressed that one fundamental objective was equipping Cabo Verde with capacity to identify future impactful projects.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of Cabo Verde to the ECOWAS Commission and stakeholders present at the meeting for sharing strategic ideas shaping regional futures she concluded: “May this meeting be more than just a forum for debate but also an inspiring platform for creating practical solutions that positively impact our citizens' lives.”
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