The 94th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers commenced in Abuja, focusing on regional integration and economic self-reliance. The two-day event aims to review the 2025 Interim Report on the State of the Community, financial status, and findings from the Administration and Finance Committee meeting.
Key discussions will cover infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, and institutional reform. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the organization’s commitment to sustainable development and regional trade enhancement.
Ministers endorsed the ECOWAS Trade and Investment Promotion Strategy as a significant achievement. Dr. Touray urged member states to ratify international agreements like the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and AfCFTA.
He also addressed political issues in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Guinea to combat terrorism and promote stability. Progress in industrial harmonization was noted with new standards for textiles aimed at boosting intra-regional trade.
Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister H.E Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON emphasized economic self-reliance and reducing neo-colonial dependency. He called for strengthening indigenous industries and joint infrastructure projects.
The upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) is set for June 20-21 in Abuja. It will bring together leaders from various sectors to explore investment opportunities with a dedicated deal room hosted by the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Charles Ndiaye joined the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority Council after being sworn in by Honorable Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Gonçalvès.
The session concluded with a call for expedited review of memoranda to ensure efficient deliberations.