The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have met in Dakar, Senegal, to assess progress on the Project for the Harmonisation and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (PHASAOC). The meeting took place on January 19, 2026.
Dr. Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, highlighted the significance of reliable statistical data for the region. He called for enhanced cooperation with UNFPA to support demographic and civil status data production across West Africa. Dr. Sylla stated, “Without political commitment, nothing can be achieved,” stressing that support from member states is vital for strengthening National Statistical Institutes.
He also underlined the need to digitise demographic data and make it accessible through ECOWAS platforms, social media, and other channels to broaden public access.
Ms. Edwige Adékambi Domingo, Director of the Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project (SWEDD+), represented UNFPA Regional Director Sennen Hounton at the meeting. She echoed the call for digitisation and noted: “It is good to conduct a population census, even a digital one, but if the data is not analysed and used, it is useless.”
Prof. Félix Fofana N’Zué, Acting Director of Research and Statistics at ECOWAS Commission, stressed that high-quality statistical data suited to regional needs could aid economic and social development in West Africa. He welcomed collaboration with UNFPA as a means to address issues such as employment opportunities, migration trends, and brain drain.
During the session, both delegations reviewed PHASAOC’s achievements so far and discussed ongoing challenges. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to supporting effective project implementation in line with regional priorities.
This meeting marks the beginning of several consultations planned by ECOWAS with technical and financial partners in Dakar. In addition to UNFPA representatives, meetings are scheduled with officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), African Development Bank (AfDB), Senegal’s National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), and Senegalese Ministry of Economy.
PHASAOC is funded by the World Bank. Its objectives include improving statistical performance among participating countries through regional harmonisation efforts as well as modernising national statistical systems.
A formal agreement has been signed between ECOWAS Commission and UNFPA’s Regional Office for West and Central Africa aimed at boosting demographic data collection via censuses and civil registration within member states.