The 19th Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, ICT, and Digitalization took place on October 4, 2024, in Cotonou, Benin. The event was preceded by a gathering of NICT experts from member states on October 2 and 3. The ministerial meeting was chaired by Madame Aurélie Adam Soule Zoumarou, Benin’s Minister of Digital Affairs. It saw participation from Commissioner Sediko Douka, responsible for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitization at ECOWAS, along with Digital Affairs Ministers from Cabo Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
During the meeting's conclusion, the ministers adopted several important documents. These included the ECOWAS Digital Sector Development Strategy for 2024-2029 and reports on implementing the ECOWAS Roaming Regulation. They also endorsed a directive focused on confidence-building measures in cyber/ICT within the ECOWAS region.
The opening ceremony featured three speeches. Commissioner Sediko Douka delivered a welcome address on behalf of H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. He expressed gratitude to Benin for its efforts in managing regional issues and emphasized that "the telecommunications sector...are revolutionizing the world by supporting virtually all socio-economic activities as a vehicle for integration."
Engineer Faruk Yusuf Yabo represented Nigeria's Federal Minister of Communications at the meeting. He highlighted that this ministerial session occurred at a critical time when member states aim to enhance infrastructure essential for regional integration and economic growth: “Telecommunications...have become the foundation of modern economies.”
Mrs. Aurèlie Adam Soule Zoumarou officially launched proceedings. She connected the meeting's objectives with global initiatives like those discussed during the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly: “Digital is not just about technology but a powerful lever for building a sustainable future.”
The ministers recommended organizing a workshop for Cabo Verde's regional technical committee on roaming by November 2024 to verify regulations' implementation by mobile operators there.
ECOWAS member states were urged to adopt cybersecurity measures swiftly upon publication to bolster regional security and ensure full implementation of roaming regulations by all operators by late 2025.
Additionally, they encouraged ratifying international conventions such as the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity (Malabo Convention) and others related to cybercrime.
Representatives from partner organizations like GIZ and WATRA also attended this significant meeting.
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