A meeting convened by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commenced on May 13, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The purpose was to examine and validate a new five-year Strategic Business Plan (SBP) and Communication strategy for the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU). These strategic frameworks aim to enhance infrastructure development and interconnectivity in the region while increasing the visibility of this specialized agency.
The Strategic Business Plan is aligned with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which aspires to create "a fully integrated community of peoples living in a peaceful and prosperous region, with strong institutions that respect fundamental freedoms, working for inclusive and sustainable development." Meanwhile, the Communication strategy seeks to improve how the PPDU communicates its missions, actions, and results to various audiences. It aims to raise awareness and mobilize resources around PPDU activities to garner support from political decision-makers in Member States, potential investors, and citizens of the Community.
The agenda included formulating recommendations for finalizing the PPDU SBP; facilitating dialogue between the PPDU and development partners; reaching consensus on updating the ECOWAS Regional Infrastructure Master Plan; and validating the Communication Strategy.
Mr. Keba Fye, Acting Director of the PPDU, addressed participants on behalf of Mr. Sediko Douka, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization of the ECOWAS Commission. He highlighted these strategic documents' importance in achieving agency objectives and expressed satisfaction with achievements since October 2014 due to support from ECOWAS authorities and technical partners.
Participants included experts representing Development Partners such as AECID, EU Delegation, EBID, BOAD, GIZ, IsDB; representatives from ECOWAS Commission departments; Specialized Agencies like WAPP, ECREEE; WRCC; Office of Auditor General; alongside PPDU officials.
The PPDU is tasked with preparing regional infrastructure projects. In December 2021, a Regional Infrastructure Master Plan was adopted by ECOWAS Authority Heads of State identifying regional needs up to 2045 through 201 integrated projects across energy sectors valued at $131 billion.
Furthermore, guidelines were established for a coherent Public-Private Partnership approach enhancing regional infrastructure provision.
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