A session of the ECOWAS Technical Committee for Standards Management (TMC) is being held in Praia, Cape Verde, on July 28 and 29, 2025. The meeting’s main focus is to review and validate updated regional standards for fortified foods such as iodized salt, fortified vegetable oils, and fortified wheat flour. This initiative has support from UNICEF and is part of ongoing efforts to address persistent malnutrition across West Africa.
The session aligns with the implementation of the Common Industrial Policy for West Africa (PICAO) and the Standards Harmonization Model (ECOSHAM). These frameworks aim to strengthen regional regulations around nutritional security by adopting current standards that reflect international guidelines while also responding to public health needs within member states.
In addition to work on food standards, committee members confirmed changes in leadership within sectoral technical committees responsible for food products, building materials, textiles, clothing, and information technology. These updates take into account recent withdrawals by some member countries.
Mr. Lassané Kaboré, ECOWAS Director of Industry, addressed participants at the opening ceremony. “He emphasized the strategic impact of these harmonized standards: guaranteeing safe products for consumers while boosting the competitiveness of local industries. He also announced the imminent launch of a process to develop standards for complementary foods for infants and young children, in partnership with UNICEF.”
UNICEF’s Regional Nutrition Advisor for West and Central Africa, Mr. Siméon Nanama, stated: “He reiterated the urgent need to take action against malnutrition, a real brake on development. He highlighted large-scale fortification as a sustainable solution, praised the exemplary partnership between UNICEF and ECOWAS, and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the development of nutritional standards, particularly for young children.”
Ms Ana Paula Spencer leads Cape Verde’s Institute for Quality Management and Intellectual Property (IGQPI). She commented: “praised ECOWAS’s leading role in setting up a regional quality infrastructure, an essential lever for fairer and safer trade.”
The TMC session marks progress toward improving access to safe fortified foods throughout West Africa amid ongoing challenges related to malnutrition and food insecurity.