Policymakers and businesses in West Africa now have an online tool to track their countries’ trade competitiveness and find new business opportunities in the region, with the launch of the West African Competitiveness Observatory. Read More »

Daniel Eriksson, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International, a global anti-corruption nonprofit organization, stated that in nations plagued by corruption, victims may find themselves obstructed from achieving justice. Eriksson expressed this sentiment in a press release dated January 30, which announced the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International. The index positioned Nigeria at rank 145 out of 180 in terms of corruption levels, with 180 indicating the highest level of corruption. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened a crucial hybrid meeting on Monday, May 20, 2024, to officially launch the Regional Nutrition Agenda. The event aimed to integrate nutrition into agricultural policies and strategies, marking a significant step forward in addressing nutritional challenges in the region. Read More »

A sense of celebration filled the air, mingled with the rich scent of fresh pineapple, as guests arrived at the Promo Fruits Pineapple Processing Factory in Allada, approximately an hour’s journey from Cotonou, Benin. Held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, the long-awaited ceremony celebrating the expansion of the pineapple juice factory was a resounding success. The event was attended by over 140 people, including several dignitaries such as representatives of the Minister of State in charge of Development and Coordination of Government Action, Mr. Rachidi B. Radji; the Minister... Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission launched a Pilot Course on the Protection of Civilians in Peace Support Operations on May 20, 2024, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana. The initiative received financial backing from the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Read More »

In its bid to boost free trade and foster trade integration, the ECOWAS Department for Economic Affairs and Agriculture organized a train-the-trainer workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) of the National Committee of Origin Recognition (NCOR) and sensitized the private sector in Monrovia, Liberia from May 16 to 17, 2022. Read More »

Following a meeting with rice importers in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has disapproved any increase in the price of rice, stating that prices will remain unchanged pending further review. The Government of Liberia has strongly advised against hoarding this essential commodity and prohibited cross-border transfer or transshipment from Liberia. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Rice Observatory is holding its first Annual General Meeting from May 21 to May 23, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The event is themed “Aligning goals and charting a roadmap to accelerate the growth of a competitive rice sector in West Africa.” Read More »

The Vice-President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), H.E. Mrs. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, and the Regional Director – West Africa of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mrs. Jo Lesser Oltheten, held talks on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The discussions aimed to finalize a new partnership agreement between their institutions. Read More »

The Republic of Liberia Executive Mansion, Monrovia – His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, has constituted the Council of the Liberia Standards Authority. Those appointed are: Read More »

Galliness Conference Hall, Bo City, Tuesday 21 May 2024 – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio addressed ministers, deputies, permanent secretaries, and other senior civil servants at the opening of a two-day Ministerial Retreat in Bo. He urged his cabinet to correct and recalibrate their actions for the national agenda. He described the session as timely and reminded them that the conference was for them to deliver on the promises made to the people of Sierra Leone. Read More »

Delegates from 10 countries within the British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) arrived at St Helena on May 19, 2024, to commence their annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) BIMR conference. This marks the first time that CPA St Helena has hosted a CPA conference. Read More »

The ECOWAS Commission and the Arab Republic of Egypt are exploring possibilities for enhanced cooperation in peace and security to promote stability in West Africa. This initiative was highlighted during a courtesy call by Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Mohamed Fouad, on ECOWAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa, on May 16, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. Read More »

The three-day meeting of Tourism Experts and the Private Sector on the Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms of ECOTOUR 19-29 concluded with participants from Member States adopting several key resolutions. The private sector was assigned the responsibility of formulating a funding request for ECOTOUR 19-29 activities, identifying and seeking support from Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs), and initiating a partnership agreement with the ECOWAS Commission to implement a robust regional tourism strategy for economic growth. Read More »

Senior Trade Officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member States convened in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 15th to 16th, 2024. The gathering aimed to consider regional instruments that could enhance regional economic integration and trade. Read More »

The Executive Council has given its approval to the Immigration Policy 2024 on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. This policy is designed to support an increase in the working-aged population, a factor deemed critical for economic growth and sustainable prosperity for the island. Read More »

Access Bank Zambia Limited has announced the completion of its acquisition of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited, also known as Atlas Mara Zambia. This follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The two banks will continue to operate separately until all integration processes are finalised. Upon completion, the merged entity is expected to be among Zambia's top five banks by revenue, with potential to rank in the top three by 2027. Read More »

Benin, in partnership with the African Development Bank, officially initiated the Project to Promote Sustainable Aquaculture and the Competitiveness of Fisheries Value Chains on 15 May 2024. The project aims to enhance the contribution of the fisheries and aquaculture sector to food security and local economies. Read More »

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Directorate of Private Sector has assembled experts and stakeholders from the tourism industry for a five-day conference in Abuja, Nigeria. The gathering is focused on the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for ECOTOUR 19-29 and the ECOWAS Tourism Accommodation Regulator, with an aim to optimize resource use and improve operational efficiency. Read More »

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria, in partnership with the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser, held the Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum on Security and Defence” on May 15, 2024. The event took place at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The forum was themed “Reducing vulnerabilities through partnerships” and served as a preparatory meeting for the main Schuman Forum on Security and Defence, set to occur on May 28 and 29 in Brussels. Read More »