ECOWAS-UEMOA holds strategic workshop on regional program implementation

As part of the capitalization and consolidation of the implementation of the West Africa Regional Indicative Program (RIP) of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), the UEMOA and ECOWAS Commissions held an inter-organizational strategic workshop in Lomé from September 9 to 13, 2024.

The objective of the workshop was to take stock of the implementation of programs financed in the ECOWAS region by the 11th EDF, to capitalize on experiences with a view to consolidating achievements and improving the performance of Regional Organizations in terms of implementing programs financed by external resources.

This workshop, co-organized by ECOWAS through its External Relations Directorate headed by Mr. Jerome BOA (co-chair of the session), and UEMOA through its Cooperation Directorate headed by Mr. Arnaud Cédric KIEMA (co-chair of the session) and its EDF-UEMOA Management Unit, saw participation from ECOWAS and UEMOA Directorates responsible for priority projects implemented within the framework of the 11th EDF PIR.

During the opening ceremony, Mrs. Aminata Cira LO PAYE, Resident Representative of the UEMOA Commission in Lomé, recalled that since 2021, NDICI has succeeded EDF as the European Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). "The first programs resulting from this new instrument are in their start-up phase. It is in this context that this workshop is being held," she stated. The aim was "to take stock of implementing regional programs financed by the European Union through PIR 11th EDF jointly supported by ECOWAS and UEMOA" and "to draw relevant lessons for future programming actions within NDICI."

This meeting was preceded by survey work conducted jointly by FED-UEMOA cell, UEMOA Cooperation Directorate, and ECOWAS External Relations Directorate. This survey work allowed for developing information support summarizing implementation reports on target projects identified during work sessions useful for compiling workshop recommendations.

At the end of this workshop's activities, recommendations will be transmitted to managements at both organizations to better focus future discussions with development partners and coordinate joint ECOWAS-UEMOA initiatives.