Latest news with #ECOWASCommission
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Holds Pre-Validation Consultation on Labour Migration Strategy Ahead of Accra Session
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, convened a high-level virtual consultation with Member States, regional social partners, and development stakeholders on 6 May 2025 to review and enrich the Draft ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035). The pre-validation meeting represents a crucial step towards finalising the Strategy, which is designed to strengthen the governance of labour migration across the ECOWAS region. Anchored in the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the Strategy is being developed through a participatory and inclusive approach involving Member States, the African Union Commission (AUC), International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), under the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP), with support from the European Union and the, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The Commission reaffirmed that the Labour Migration Strategy constitutes a strategic response to current migration dynamics in West Africa, and reflects ECOWAS' commitment to advancing human mobility as a driver of regional integration, economic development, and social inclusion. It further emphasised the importance of aligning the Strategy with the AU-Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultation focused on five strategic pillars of the Strategy: promotion of regular migration and labour mobility; protection of migrant workers' rights; maximisation of migration's developmental impact; gender and social inclusion; and enhanced regional cooperation and institutional capacity. The document, which consolidates regional legal frameworks and emerging priorities, was presented in detail by the lead consultant, with statistical insights highlighting that West Africa hosts over 8.2 million international migrants, nearly half of whom are women. Representatives of Member States welcomed the Draft and provided constructive input, particularly on the harmonisation of labour migration data, ethical recruitment practices, diaspora engagement, and the facilitation of remittance flows. Several Member States called for greater investment in national capacity-building and alignment of national policies with the regional framework. Speaking during the session, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng, Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, highlighted ECOWAS' continued advocacy efforts and technical work with national immigration services. He noted the importance of being 'ambassadors of the ECOWAS vision,' calling for collective responsibility in raising awareness of regional rights and obligations. Social partners, including representatives from trade unions and employers' organisations, emphasised the need for gender-responsive budgeting, reintegration pathways for returnees, and protection for low-skilled and informal sector migrant workers. The Action Plan—comprising over 130 activities mapped to specific outcomes and implementation responsibilities—was praised as a robust and actionable roadmap. The results of the virtual consultation will inform the revised draft of the ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy and Action Plan to be tabled at the in-person validation workshop scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, from 13 to 15 May 2025. The ECOWAS Commission reiterated its gratitude to all partners and participants for their continued collaboration and reaffirmed its dedication to promoting safe, regular, and rights-based labour migration for the benefit of all ECOWAS citizens. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deepens engagement with community citizens to advance implementation of free movement protocol across West Africa
In a renewed effort to enhance free movement of persons and goods and strengthen regional integration and trade across West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) is intensifying collaboration with Community citizens and key stakeholders to advance the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Goods, and Services. As part of this initiative, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, undertook a working visit to the Nigeria–Benin (Lagos/Seme) Border on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. The visit aimed to assess the state of implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and to engage directly with border officials, national authorities, and Community citizens. During the visit, H.E. Dr. TOURAY held consultations with representatives of the governments of Nigeria and Benin, as well as other critical stakeholders to explore ways of improving operational efficiency and removing barriers to the seamless movement of people and goods along the Lagos-Seme corridor—one of the busiest border crossings in the region. Dr. TOURAY was accompanied by Ambassador Musa.S. NUHU, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS; Mr. Albert SIAW-BOATENG, Director of Free Movement at the ECOWAS Commission; Mr. Abdou KOLLEY, Director of Cabinet in the Office of the ECOWAS President; and other senior Commission staff. The delegation visited the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post to inspect the functionality of infrastructure provided by ECOWAS and to interact with Nigerian and Beninois customs and immigration personnel. Speaking during the visit, Dr. TOURAY emphasized the importance of first-hand assessments in understanding the challenges on the ground. According to Dr. TOURAY, ' This visit is important to ECOWAS in many ways. It has enabled us to see how the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement is being implemented at this very important corridor which is the busiest in the region. What happens here tells us a lot about the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol. The challenges we are facing here can be resolved to enable us to replicate what works well here elsewhere.' ' Before arriving at this Joint Border Post, I had the opportunity to interact with Community citizens including transporters, road corridor users and security officials. We have listened carefully to them because the aim of this mission is to listen to them and report back to our authorities with strong recommendations that will work in favour of our Community citizens. It is a pleasure to see this Joint Border Post. It is a structure that has a lot of potential. But it is at the same time disappointing to see that some facilities that cost us a lot of money are not working.' He added, 'We can't continue to have expensive infrastructure of this nature and not having them work. This visit has enabled us to really have a good idea of how things are so that we can address the challenges because I don't think that our Community will forgive us for having infrastructure in place that should be working at an optimal level, but it is not working. We will dig into this to see how we can make it work.' Reaffirming the ECOWAS Commission's commitment to removing operational bottlenecks, Dr. TOURAY called on citizens to uphold their responsibilities by traveling with proper identification. ' I want to use this opportunity to also appeal to our Community citizens to always bear in mind that free movement does not mean no documentation. The appropriate identification papers, security checks, and customs procedures remain necessary to balance openness with safety and order. Our people must understand that they need valid identification to travel. Security and freedom must go hand in hand,' Dr. TOURAY said. In his remarks, Nigeria's Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Musa S. NUHU praised the ECOWAS President for undertaking the on-the-ground visit and highlighted Nigeria's efforts to improve compliance with the ECOWAS Protocol. He noted that the Nigerian government has established a Presidential Task Force to dismantle illegal checkpoints along the corridor to facilitate smoother cross-border movement. In an interactive session with Dr. TOURAY, Nigerian and Beninois customs and immigration officials at the Joint Border Post commended the visit and appealed for ECOWAS support in repairing key infrastructure—including scanners, weighbridges, electricity supply systems, and water facilities. They expressed confidence that the President's visit would lead to enhanced infrastructure and more efficient border operations. The ECOWAS Commission continues to prioritize initiatives that enhance trade, mobility, and security, thereby fostering deeper integration and improved livelihoods for all Community citizens across the West African region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ECOWAS takes steps to boost digital connectivity in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has hosted a technical workshop on policy and regulatory exchange and knowledge sharing on connectivity market integration in West Africa. The workshop aimed to advance digital connectivity across the region and foster a robust and interconnected digital ecosystem. The Acting Director, Digital Economy, ECOWAS Commission, Folake Olagunju, in his remarks at the opening of the Regional Workshop on Connectivity Market Policy and Regulatory Coordination, explained that the workshop seeks to engage participants in meaningful discussions around thematic areas such as strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, harmonizing the digital market environment, and facilitating coordination among stakeholders to encourage private sector investment. Olagunju, who represented the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Mr. Sediko Douka, also said, the workshop was part of the ECOWAS Commission's efforts to implement its Digital Sector Development Strategy for 2024-2029, which envisions digital transformation as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and deeper regional integration. 'The strategy focuses on developing a conducive policy and regulatory environment, alongside digital infrastructure development.' The ECOWAS Commission aims to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks to foster a level playing field for digital connectivity solutions. 'This will enable the development of digital connectivity solutions that drive economic growth while actively engaging the private sector as a key partner in this endeavour. 'The commission also seeks to harmonise the digital market environment to enable cross-border interconnection of networks and services. 'This will facilitate the integration of the digital connectivity market in West Africa, promoting a seamless and efficient digital ecosystem.' 'Furthermore, the ECOWAS Commission plans to provide catalytic public funding for connectivity infrastructure PPP projects to enhance the resilience of international and core backbone connectivity. 'This will ensure that the region's digital infrastructure is robust and reliable, supporting the growth of digital economies. 'The commission aims to facilitate coordination among stakeholders to encourage private sector investment in digital connectivity. 'By working together, the ECOWAS Commission and its partners can create a favorable environment for investment, driving the growth of digital connectivity in West Africa.' Olagunju emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating, 'Your participation is invaluable in shaping strategies that will drive the digital future of our region.' The ECOWAS Commission expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its financial support and technical assistance in implementing the project. Also speaking, the Assistant Director, Telecom and Postal Services at the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Wakili Adamu Saidu, reiterated that the workshop is a call for action—a call to reaffirm shared commitment to collaborate, align policies, and effective implementation.' Saidu stressed the importance of coordinated efforts in achieving a digital single market that benefits all citizens of West Africa. 'It is only through coordinated and coherent efforts that we can attract greater private sector investment, ensure affordability and better quality of service,' he said. Saidu urged participants to prioritise the collective advancement of the ECOWAS region, saying, 'Let us look beyond our individual national interests and prioritise the collective advancement of our beloved ECOWAS region.' Saidu expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment to regional development and digital transformation, wishing them productive and fruitful deliberations over the course of the two-day workshop. The World Bank Digital Specialist, Ms. Rocio Sanchez Vigueras, said the workshop provided a platform for sharing experiences and learning from successes and challenges in implementing digital economy initiatives. 'We can learn from the good lessons and things that have worked, as well as those that didn't work,' Vigueras said. 'I've worked with different countries that are part of ECOWAS, and it's essential to share experiences and best practices to promote the single data market within ECOWAS and the African continent.' Vigueras expressed gratitude to online participants, including governments from Spain, Sweden, and Germany, for their support in implementing a new legal and regulatory framework for the data economy within ECOWAS. She looked forward to hearing experiences and exploring ways to support ECOWAS and other countries in promoting a single data market. The workshop brought together representatives of ECOWAS member states, regulators, telecommunications experts, and private sector stakeholders to discuss critical dimensions of the digital transformation agenda.
Zawya
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Perpetuating the Joint Analysis and Response Planning Working Group (JARP-WG) to deal effectively with the many challenges to Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) security and stability
Terrorism, violent extremism, conflict, transnational organised crime, climate change, epidemics, poverty, inequality and unconstitutional changes of government are just some of the enormous challenges threatening human security and stability in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. These are major threats to peace and stability in the West African region, said the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ms Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, on 28 April 2025 in Zuma Rock, Nigeria, at the opening of the 2025 technical session of the Joint Analysis and Response Planning Working Group (JARP-WG). For Ms Tchintchibidja, represented by the Commission's Acting Director of Early Warning, Dr Onyinye Onwuka, meeting these human security challenges has never been more urgent, hence the crucial importance of setting up the Working Group. 'The JARP-WG aims to strengthen our capacity for joint analysis and response planning to threats to human security, while establishing standardized procedures and promoting collaboration between Commission departments and between ECOWAS Member States. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our early warning systems and response efforts', said Dr Onyinye Onwuka. She stressed the need to consolidate the operationalisation of this working group and recalled that its success depends largely on the participants in this session. The three-day session brings together the directors of the National Early Warning and Response Centres of some ECOWAS member States, representatives of various departments of the ECOWAS Commission, and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). Its aim is to gather their analytical contributions and recommendations to be taken into account in the report on the human security situation in ECOWAS 2024 and prospects for 2025. It will also examine the priority areas identified in the report, and set clear objectives for the next steps in terms of response actions. Dr Onyinye Onwuka also stressed the need for participants to examine the risks, threats and root causes of human insecurity in the ECOWAS region, and to reflect on the best way of anticipating and resolving these problems through a more holistic approach centred on human beings and their well-being. She expressed her conviction that, at the end of this meeting, the JARP-WG will provide a more in-depth analysis that takes into account new perspectives for dealing effectively with threats to human security. The JARP-WG was created in May 2022 and officially launched in July 2022 by the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ms Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja. It aims to strengthen synergies and improve the region's capacity to prevent, mitigate and respond to human security challenges. Its main objective is to provide a forum for ECOWAS to collaborate with stakeholders in its member States on a structured and regular basis, facilitating joint analysis, planning and implementation of responses to human insecurity. The JARP Working Group is structured around the five human security thematic areas of ECOWAS early warning: security, crime, health, environment and governance. After the opening ceremony, participants were given two presentations, one on ' Introduction to ECOWARN 2.0 and its role in detecting human security challenges', and the other on ' Introduction to JARP tools to strengthen collaboration and synergies in early warning and response '. The presentations were made respectively by Marcel Bossou and Nanténé Coulibaly Seck, both of whom work in the Early Warning Department of the ECOWAS Commission. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
To mark its 50th anniversary, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mobilizes youth around a Conference on the Development of an Economically inclusive and Peaceful West Africa
Discussing the causes and factors of youth unemployment and the impact of their instrumentalization, showcasing successful youth initiatives and enterprises, and exploring funding and innovation opportunities such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Human Capital Development (HCD) Catalytic Investment Fund initiative, will be the topics addressed at the major Youth Conference being organized by ECOWAS from April 29 to 30, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. Organized with the Ghanaian Ministry of Youth and Development as part of the celebration of ECOWAS' 50th anniversary, this major Conference will also address themes such as (i) the role of technology in creating employment opportunities and solving employment problems, (2) advocating reforms to align education with labor market needs and highlighting effective continuing education programs, (3) encouraging youth participation in civic activities and promoting active citizenship. More than 250 participants, including H.E. Damtien TCHINTCHIBIDJA, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, representatives of the Ghanaian government, educators, business leaders and various stakeholders will gather in Accra over 2 days to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding youth participation, particularly with regard to unemployment and underemployment in West Africa. The event will also bring together young people from ECOWAS member states, specialized ECOWAS agencies such as the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Program, as well as participants from the Directorates and Programs of the Office of the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Early Warning System observers in the field. Participants will also include the private sector, strategic partners and donor organizations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
