Latest news with #FolakeOlagunju
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launches regional workshop to advance West Africa regional digital integration project (WARDIP)
The ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the World Bank-funded West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), officially launched a two-day Technical Workshop on Policy Coordination and Knowledge Exchange on Connectivity Market Integration, on 7 May 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The workshop convenes key actors from ECOWAS Member States, telecommunications regulators, regional institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to engage in forward-looking dialogue on improving broadband access and regulatory harmonisation across the region. In her opening remarks, Ms. Folake OLAGUNJU, Acting Director of Digital Economy and Post at the ECOWAS Commission, emphasised the importance of aligning national digital agendas with regional objectives as set out in the ECOWAS Digital Sector Development Strategy (2024–2029). She called for greater synergy among Member States to bridge the digital divide and promote affordable, inclusive connectivity solutions. 'This workshop must move us from coordination to commitment,' OLAGUNJU affirmed. 'Only through shared ownership and concrete collaboration can we build an integrated digital market that truly serves our citizens.' Engr. Waidi Abdulkareem, Assistant Director for Telecoms and Postal Services at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, who chaired the workshop reaffirmed Nigeria's strong commitment to regional integration through digital infrastructure and regulatory cooperation. He underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration in accelerating broadband expansion, fostering innovation, and ensuring no country is left behind in the region's digital transformation. He further expressed Nigeria's readiness to work alongside the ECOWAS Commission and its partners to implement harmonised frameworks that support inclusive growth and digital sovereignty across West Africa The workshop is a key milestone in the implementation of Axis 2 of the ECOWAS Digital Strategy, which focuses on digital infrastructure development and broadband affordability. It is also directly linked to Component 2 of WARDIP, which aims to foster an enabling regulatory environment, stimulate private sector investment, and facilitate cross-border infrastructure development to support the region's digital integration goals. Delivering the World Bank's intervention, Rocío Sánchez Figueroa, Senior Digital Development Specialist and Task Team Leader for WARDIP, underlined the critical role of regional organisations like ECOWAS in promoting harmonised digital markets. She stressed that lessons from other global regions show that regulatory coherence, strategic investment, and strong institutional coordination are key to lowering broadband costs and unlocking economic potential. Over the course of the workshop, participants are exploring five core thematic areas: regional policy and regulatory frameworks; broadband accessibility and affordability; Universal Service Funds; the establishment of a Regional Internet Exchange Point; and the role of satellite technology in addressing coverage gaps. The workshop continues on 8 May 2025, culminating in the validation of key recommendations and a roadmap for coordinated implementation under ECOWAS Vision 2050. This initiative reflects the Commission's commitment to a people-centred and results-driven approach, ensuring that digital transformation policies are not only technically sound, but also tangibly improve the lives of citizens—by expanding access to information, creating jobs, and enhancing economic inclusion. It also responds to the expectations of policymakers, regulators, and development actors seeking greater alignment and accountability in the region's digital agenda. 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.
