Latest news with #SedikoDouka
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
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Grants the Government of Cabo Verde $50,000 to draw up its 2025-2040 Infrastructure Master Plan
On 3 April 2025 in Praia, Cape Verde, an ECOWAS mission led by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitisation, Mr Sediko Douka, accompanied by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Cape Verde and the Acting Director and Programme Officer of the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU), visited the cape Verdean minister for Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing. On the agenda was a meeting on ECOWAS support for the development of the 2025-2040 infrastructure master plan. Cape Verde's support for this transformative initiative is twofold: Financial support: a USD 50,000 grant to support the formulation of the national infrastructure plan. Technical assistance from the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU) to provide strategic guidance in the planning, technical review and implementation of the master plan. On the occasion of the official launch of ECOWAS support and the presentation of a symbolic cheque in support of the initiative, the Commissioner, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr Omar Alieu Touray, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cape Verde, and in particular to His Excellency José Maria Neves, for the invitation to participate in the development of Cape Verde's National Infrastructure Plan. He reaffirmed the Commission's unwavering commitment to helping all Member States put in place sound policies and regulatory frameworks to improve the delivery of infrastructure services. This master plan development initiative comes at an historic time, just weeks before ECOWAS's anniversary, which marks 50 years of regional service and cooperation. As ECOWAS celebrates this important anniversary, the commitment to improving the quality of infrastructure services, connectivity, economic growth and shared prosperity for all citizens of the region remains as strong as ever. For his part, the Minister for Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing, Victor Coutinho, thanked the ECOWAS Commission for its support. He reiterated that this National Infrastructure Master Plan 2025-2024 will provide a comprehensive framework covering all sectors of economic and social infrastructure to stimulate economic development, growth and regional integration in Cape Verde. The statements were followed by the symbolic presentation of a cheque for USD 50,000. Following the official ceremony, the PPDU team held technical working sessions with the Cape Verde Infrastructure (ICV) team, with the aim of developing a clear roadmap for the next steps. The ECOWAS delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, His Excellency José Filomeno Monteiro, and took advantage of the mission to meet the Secretary of State for the Digital Economy, Dr Pedro Lopes, to discuss the Amílcar Cabral Submarine Cable Telecommunications Project. The issue of Cape Verde's financial participation in the project, the establishment of a national Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the finalization of the headquarters agreement for the ECOWAS representation, and the operationalization of the National Early Warning Office were among the subjects discussed with the two ministers. The ECOWAS National Unit in Cape Verde also took part in all the meetings. The ECOWAS delegation expresses its appreciation to the government and people of Cape Verde for their warm welcome and commitment to regional cooperation. This collaboration underlines Cape Verde's commitment to the principles of regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity. As ECOWAS embarks on the next 50 years, the Commission remains true to its vision of increasing connectivity, stimulating economic growth and improving infrastructure services for all citizens. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
