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Tag: ECOWAS

  • FG urges Southeast businesses to key into ECOWAS trade scheme

    FG urges Southeast businesses to key into ECOWAS trade scheme

    The Federal Government has called on business owners in the Southeast to take advantage of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to boost cross-border trade and expand their markets across West Africa.

    Director, ECOWAS National Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, made the appeal on Tuesday in Enugu during a one-day sensitisation workshop on the scheme, organised to enlighten Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region with the theme: “Increasing intra regional trade through ETLS”.

    He explained the ETLS was designed to promote economic integration among member states by allowing goods produced within any ECOWAS country to be traded freely within the sub-region without payment of customs duties.

    “The ETLS is primarily made for business people, particularly MSMEs, big entrepreneurs, and petty traders who have products that can be sold within the West African region,” Awe said. 

    “Once registered under the scheme, Nigerian manufacturers can export their products to the 12 ECOWAS countries without paying customs duties.”

    According to him, the scheme, which is one of the protocols underpinning ECOWAS’ founding vision in 1975, aims to achieve free movement of goods and services and foster regional prosperity through economic integration.

    Read Also: Nigeria firmly committed to ECOWAS trade liberalisation, common tariff – Minister

    Awe stressed that businesses must, however, complete the required registration process to benefit from the initiative. 

    “Any businessperson manufacturing in Nigeria must first register with us. They will need to submit samples of their products, after which the National Approval Committee—comprising the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, SON, NAFDAC, Customs, MAN Export Group, and NEPC—will conduct factory inspections to confirm that the products are genuinely made in Nigeria,” he said.

    He warned that the scheme does not permit re-export of foreign goods. “We don’t want a situation where someone imports from China and re-exports. Only products made in Nigeria are eligible,” he added.

    Awe noted the sensitisation workshop was necessary because many business owners in the South-East were still unaware of the benefits of the scheme despite the region’s thriving entrepreneurial base.

    “We are doing this to enlighten our businessmen to leverage this opportunity and earn more profit. Once you don’t pay customs charges, you are as good as selling within Nigeria,” he said.

  • Tinubu urges ECOWAS to declare resource theft international crime

    Tinubu urges ECOWAS to declare resource theft international crime

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to designate resource theft — including illegal mining and the stealing of minerals — as an international crime.

    The President warned that the practice poses a direct threat to the stability and security of the West African region.

    Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (yesterday SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 2025 annual General Assembly of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, the President said the time had come for the regional bloc to galvanise international support against the trade in stolen minerals from West Africa.

    “I believe that the time has come for ECOWAS to designate resource theft (illegal mining and stealing of minerals in the region) as an international crime that threatens the stability of the region, and galvanizes the world against trade in stolen minerals from West Africa,” he said.

    The President noted that illicit financial flows and the plundering of mineral resources have become a growing menace, fueling insecurity and violent crimes across the sub-region.

    “Stealing of mineral resources is on the rise in the region, fuelling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and other violent crimes such as kidnapping and banditry,” he said.

    President Tinubu warned that no single country could win the battle against illicit financial flows or resource theft alone, stressing that regional collaboration through NACIWA offers ECOWAS a viable platform to coordinate efforts against corruption and its offshoots.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Akande: basic education key to societal growth

    He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to asset recovery as a key pillar of its anti-corruption strategy, noting that the country had introduced a new legal framework for asset recovery and management.

    “Under Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy, we have prioritized the tracing and recovery of stolen assets. This vision has translated into the recovery of humongous sums by our anti-corruption agencies,” the President said.

    President Tinubu praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led by Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who also serves as the current President of NACIWA, for its “prolific record” in recovering stolen assets.

    He said the commission’s successes over the past two years should serve as a case study for member nations at the meeting.

    The President further disclosed that his administration has repurposed part of the recovered proceeds of crime to fund social impact programmes.

    “Two legacy programmes of my administration, the Student Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme, commenced operation with the injection of N100 billion in recovered proceeds of crime by the EFCC,” he said.

    The President explained that through the Student Loan Scheme, many indigent students now have access to tertiary education, while the Consumer Credit Scheme is helping working Nigerians acquire essential assets and ease financial pressures in the current economic climate.

    Emphasising the need for unity, President Tinubu stated that defeating corruption and insecurity would greatly improve the quality of life in the region.

    He urged NACIWA delegates to critically examine anti-money laundering frameworks, financial intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and accountability in the extractive sector to strengthen regional resilience.

    “We need a paradigm shift from rhetoric to deliberate measures to actualize the vision of ECOWAS’ founding fathers for collective prosperity and good governance,” he said, expressing optimism that the 2025 General Assembly would produce a new framework for inclusive growth and shared progress in West Africa.

    President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to ECOWAS and NACIWA, declaring: “We are stronger together than being apart.”

    He formally declared the 2025 NACIWA annual general meeting (AGM) open.

  • Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger exit: ECOWAS ministers meet in Abuja to fill vacancies

    Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger exit: ECOWAS ministers meet in Abuja to fill vacancies

    Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have convened in Abuja to address vacancies within the regional body following the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic.

    The Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers is also deliberating on the status of staff with dual nationalities and the recruitment of personnel from AES countries in grades P4 and below.

    Speaking at the opening session, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, said the meeting aims to discuss the allocation of statutory positions among member states and to ensure transparency in the recruitment process.

    Kabba emphasized that the recruitment and allocation process serves as a key measure of ECOWAS’ institutional integrity and regional unity. He urged member states to prioritize fairness, inclusivity, and shared commitment to the community’s long-term vision.

    “Our decisions must be grounded in due process, transparency, and equity,” Kabba said. “These principles are essential to strengthen economic integration, regional peace and security, and uphold our democratic values as a community.”

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    He also added, “Let me now draw the attention of this esteemed Council to the work of the Ad-hoc Ministerial Committee – a committee constituted by over 70% of our membership. This decides the Ad-hoc Committee a fait accompli, which makes it compelling to review the procedures of the establishment of Ad-Hoc Committees.

    “It is also important to note that members of the ad-hoc Committee would have reviewed the commission’s proposals on the statutory positions, which will inform our deliberations on the presentation of the memorandum on proposals for the allocation of statutory positions to member states.”

    In her welcome address, Nigeria Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said, “Nigeria remains steadfast in its role as a dependable partner, ever ready to contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of our Community institutions and to the realization of the noble objectives for which this Organization stands. We believe that with collective effort and renewed dedication, we can build a more effective, responsive, and fully functional Organization that truly serves the aspirations of our region and beyond.”

    Touray, on his part, said, “This extraordinary Council is borne out of necessity. In the last three years, we have struggled to fill vacancies in our institutions using a staff regulation that constrains management’s ability to administratively expedite the process. It has therefore become necessary to refer to the Council from time to time to help us untangle the web. We are very grateful to the Council for the earlier waiver, which enabled us to have a shorter time frame for advertisements of vacant positions. With this, we have now published and received a sizable number of applications.

    “However, Excellencies, the challenge currently is with the processing of these applications and the scheduling of interviews. These have been slower than the rate of staff attrition, due to an aging workforce with an average annual loss of staff to retirement estimated at 13 personnel. The volume of applications is beyond the capacity of the recruitment firms in place, due to the largely manual method used in processing the applications. “Therefore, we have had to recruit additional recruitment firms and sought your approval for these International Independent firms to come in and assist with an end-to-end recruitment exercise. I have also directed the Internal Services Department to accelerate the deployment of e-recruitment systems to fast-track the processing of applications.

    “With the sudden departure of a large number of our workforce who are nationals of the countries that exited from the Organisation, namely Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, we are faced with the challenge of replacing them. We need the Council to guide us in the equitable distribution of the vacant positions among all the Member States, without sacrificing competence. As our staff regulations did not provide any guidance on how to allocate vacant positions to specific member states for the purpose of achieving equity, it has become necessary for the Council to provide its guidance on the way forward.

    “We are therefore pleased to present to you a memorandum with proposals on how to achieve this equitable distribution of the positions and fast-track the recruitment process. In making these proposals, the Commission took into account the current staff distribution per member state and the interests of those member states with poor representation in the current workforce of the institutions. Our goal is to achieve equity, ensure quality, and consolidate on the solidarity that strengthens our Community.

    “As management, we are committed to protecting the interests of each member state, whether their nationals are represented in the Management of the Institutions or not. We have taken an oath to serve the entire community and not our narrow national interests. We therefore look forward to your deliberations and guidance on this matter.”

  • ‘ECOWAS committee should ensure fairness, inclusivity in statutory positions distribution’

    ‘ECOWAS committee should ensure fairness, inclusivity in statutory positions distribution’

    The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ad Hoc Committee on rotation of statutory positions to uphold fairness and inclusivity among member-states.

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu spoke at the opening of the committee’s meeting yesterday in Abuja.

    The members of the committee were drawn from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.

    The committee is mandated to review and consider proposals for the allocation of statutory positions within the ECOWAS institutions for the 2026 to 2030 term.

    It has till December to turn in its report.

    The current appointees’ tenure expired in June, having exhausted their four year non-renewable term.

    Addressing members of the ad hoc committee, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for them to be wary of the sensitivity of appointments.

    She said: “We are fully aware that the appointment of statutory positions within ECOWAS institutions remains a matter of considerable importance and sensitivity among member-states. This issue has become even more delicate in recent times, given the reduction in the number of statutory positions available following the implementation of the ECOWAS institutional reforms.

    “In this context, our Committee must be mindful of the need to uphold fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of the statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions.”

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu warned that aspirations of all member-states, particularly those with smaller populations or limited resources, should not be trampled upon.

    She added: “It is also essential that the aspirations of all member-states, particularly those with smaller populations or limited resources but who have nonetheless demonstrated unflinching commitment to the organisation, are duly recognised and accommodated.

    “It is equally important to underscore that our membership of this ad hoc committee should not be construed as a pathway to positions of leadership within the ECOWAS institutions. Rather, our engagement should be guided by the principles of regional solidarity, prioritising the collective interest of the community above national aspirations. In doing so, we will contribute to fostering deeper unity, mutual trust, and a shared sense of purpose among our citizens.

    “As we prepare to commence deliberations on the memorandum before us, I encourage us all to approach our discussions with unflinching commitment, open-mindedness and a spirit of constructive dialogue. Let us remain focused on ensuring that the outcomes of our engagements are both meaningful and impactful for the future of our region.”

    The minister also assured the gathering that Nigeria would, as a traditional leader, engage with all member-states to build consensus and ensure collective decisions for the future of the community.

    “We would also recall that Nigeria, as a long-standing and committed member-state, played a significant role in shaping and supporting the institutional reforms which culminated in the current and more streamlined structure.

    “Excellencies, these reforms were aimed at reducing operational costs, optimising administrative efficiency, and enhancing the effectiveness and impact of ECOWAS programmes across the region.

    “I want to, therefore, assure you that as part of our enduring commitment to the ideals of regional integration and solidarity, Nigeria will continue to assume its traditional leadership role by constructively engaging with all member-states to build consensus and ensure that our collective decisions reflect both equity and a shared vision for the future of our community.”

    Odumegwu-Ojukwu praised the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and his team for the comprehensive and well-prepared memorandum provided to guide the deliberations of the committee over the course of the two-day engagement.

    “The document thoughtfully reflects the relevant legal framework governing the allocation of statutory positions within the ECOWAS Institutions, and will no doubt serve as a valuable reference in facilitating our discussions,” she said.

    Touray urged the committee to do its work with broader interest of the community at heart.

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    He reminded the gathering that the Council of Ministers was informed at the 94th ordinary session of the impending end of the mandate of the current management of ECOWAS Institutions by July 14, 2026, in compliance with the 2012 Supplementary Act On the Modalities for the Allocation of Statutory Positions in ECOWAS Institutions.

    This, the ECOWAS Commission President recalled, culminated in the setting up of the six-member ad hoc committee.

    He stressed that “Article 14, paragraph 3 of the Supplementary Act mandated Council to recommend the allocation of the positions to the ECOWAS Authority based on a proposal to be submitted by the President of the Commission”.

    Touray added: “To facilitate this process, Council, in June, established this six-member ad hoc committee, comprising the Republics of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo, to review the proposed allocation of the commission and submit it to Council for consideration, and ultimately to the ECOWAS Authority for decision.

    “During this meeting, the commission will be presenting a memo setting out the framework for the allocation of the statutory positions for your consideration. The memo was prepared taking into account the provisions of the 2012 Supplementary Act and historical data on the allocations of the statutory positions of the institutions since 1975.

    “It is the expectation that the ad hoc Committee will review this proposal with the broader interest of the Community at heart.”

  • Nigeria calls for integration of ECOWAS capital markets

    Nigeria calls for integration of ECOWAS capital markets

    Nigeria has emphasised the need to accelerate the integration of the West African capital markets in order to unlock immense capital needed to develop the region.

    Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama said West Africa faces urgent developmental challenges ranging from infrastructure deficits and climate adaptation to digital transformation and job creation.

    According to him, West African countries need to accelerate the integration of their capital markets as a platform to mobilise the scale of investment needed to drive the region’s development.

    Agama spoke yesterday in Abuja at the Experts Meeting on Validation of the WASRA Charter and Recognition of WASRA as the Regulatory Body for Cross-Border Securities Market in ECOWAS.

    He said the initiative represented “a watershed moment” in the region’s financial history, warning that each year of delay in integration represents a lost opportunity to mobilise resources for critical projects that can transform the region’s economies.

     “To meet these challenges, we require capital at scale, and the truth is simple: no single national market can provide it alone. An integrated regional capital market is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,” Agama, who also chairs WASRA, said.

    He pointed to Africa’s annual infrastructure financing gap of over $100 billion, stressing that West Africa alone requires tens of billions of dollars to modernise transport corridors, upgrade energy systems, and build resilient digital infrastructure.

    “Without integrated markets that pool liquidity and broaden investor participation, our governments and private sector will remain constrained, relying on limited fiscal space and expensive borrowing,” Agama said.

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    Drawing lessons from global models, he noted that the European Union and ASEAN achieved significant economic transformation by harmonising rules, fostering investor confidence, and facilitating seamless cross-border funding.

    He said: “The creation of a single market enabled European firms to access funding seamlessly across borders, boosting innovation and competitiveness. Closer to home, ASEAN coordinated standards and deepened financial cooperation, strengthening its resilience as a regional bloc.”

    He emphasised that West Africa, with its population of more than 400 million and a combined GDP of about $800 billion, has even greater potential, cautioning that “potential means little without decisive action,” he cautioned.

    Agama outlined how integration would bring benefits beyond infrastructure, noting that “In agriculture, integrated markets can mobilise capital for value-chain development, agro-processing, and food security, which are critical priorities for our region”.

    He added: “In the digital economy, regional capital can support innovation hubs, fintech scale-ups, and broadband expansion, ensuring that West Africa fully participates in the fourth industrial revolution.”

    He further stressed that cross-border pools of capital, backed by harmonised regulation, could deliver “transformative impact” across multiple sectors, including youth empowerment and job creation.

    Presenting the objectives of the West Africa Securities Regulators Association (WASRA), Agama said the body was established with a clear mandate to anchor market integration.

    “First, to contribute to the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for the regulation of capital markets; ensuring their proper functioning and the protection of investors. This speaks directly to the heart of investor confidence, without which no market can thrive,” he said.

    He added that WASRA would foster integration through joint programmes and common projects, promote mutual assistance across the region, and set common standards for effective regulation. “Integration is not only about policy declarations; it is about practical collaboration and shared initiatives that deliver results for our markets and our people,” he stressed.

    Agama called on policymakers, especially finance ministers within ECOWAS, to champion the WASRA initiative, stating that “The political will of our leaders is the single most important factor in moving from aspiration to reality”.

    “WASRA stands ready, in partnership with ECOWAS, WACMIC, and WAMI, to provide the technical leadership required.”

    Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun noted that the gathering marked a significant step in the collective “journey toward a harmonized regulatory framework, one that reflects the shared aspirations of ECOWAS member states to deepen capital market integration, enhance cross-border investments, and promote financial stability.”

    Edun, represented by Mr. Hassan Adamu Jibrin, Principal Economist Federal Ministry of Finance, pointed out that validation of the draft WASRA Charter is not merely a procedural formality, but a critical foundation for institutional coherence, regulatory cooperation, and sustainable market development across our sub-region.

    On his part while speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Peter Oluonye Acting Director Private Sector noted that for capital markets integration to gain traction in ECOWAS, there need to be need concerted efforts of all stakeholders at harmonizing rules, practices and regulations, to the standards acceptable to all jurisdictions.

    He said: “We are well aware that our member states depend much on external capital flows and direct investment to sustain and deliver on economic development programmes of our governments. The region is in dire need to develop critical economic infrastructure projects, requiring huge capital investment and facilitate gross capital formation. The capital market is a major vehicle that should support this aspiration

    “The need to drive our capital markets integration initiative to break down barriers to movement of capital within the region by ensuring a harmonized regulatory space, common market information platforms, interlinked trading systems, cross-border trade and payments settlement, harmonized accounting standards and internationally acceptable governance standards and institutions cannot be over-emphasized at this juncture in our economic integration initiatives”.

  • West Africa must be an active player in AI revolution, says ECOWAS parliament

    West Africa must be an active player in AI revolution, says ECOWAS parliament

    The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has stressed that the subregion must position itself as an enlightened and prosperous partner in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution.

    Speaker of the Parliament, Hadja Ibrahima, made the call at the conclusion of the three-day 2nd 2025 ECOWAS Parliament Seminar, themed “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region,” held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “This seminar is not an end, but a beginning. It marks the starting point of a collective and resolute appropriation of Artificial Intelligence by ECOWAS. May the recommendations resulting from this work be translated into a concrete and ambitious action plan. May each of us be an ambassador of this conviction: West Africa must not undergo the AI revolution; it must be an enlightened and prosperous actor,” Ibrahima said.

    Read Also: Parliament extols Tinubu’s commitment to ECOWAS’ institutions 

    She added that the three days of intensive discussions and forward-looking analysis had affirmed that the AI revolution is irreversible, describing it as a fundamental paradigm shift redefining economies, societies, and governance across the globe.

    “In a short space of time, AI has left the realms of science fiction to become a powerful force that is revolutionizing our world, fueling major advances in all sectors of life. At the same time, it is testing our shared values and fundamental rights.

    “AI at the service of parliament is the assurance of informed deliberation, optimized legislation, and strengthened parliamentary oversight. It offers us the means to make our work more efficient, more transparent, and closer to citizens’ expectations.

    “It is up to us, honorable members, to appropriate these tools, to train our collaborators and to adapt our internal regulations to accommodate this new intelligence.”

  • ECOWAS lawmakers warn against speedy adoption of AI in legislative business

    ECOWAS lawmakers warn against speedy adoption of AI in legislative business

    Parliamentarians from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have warned against the hasty adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in parliamentary business on the African continent.

    The lawmakers spoke at the ongoing second 2025 ECOWAS Parliamentary Seminar/Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.

    The parliamentarians suggested that before the full implementation of AI, there must be extensive advocacy on AI among the lawmakers in Africa, particularly the ECOWAS subregion.

    The lawmakers, such as Guy Marius Sagna (Francophone) and Laadi Ayamba (Anglophone), said the present crop of legislators lacked in-depth knowledge of technology and needed sensitization to the new trend.

    They said that the use of AI in law-making and other sectors, if not properly managed, would have more disadvantages than merits for society, especially in the workplace.

    The lawmakers insisted that while they were elected to represent, protect, and defend the interests of their constituents, they would not legislate laws detrimental to members of the public.

    The parliamentarians said the ECOWAS sub-region lacked AI space for innovation and called for a wider campaign in the rural areas before introducing it for public use.

    They also argued that Africa was not yet prepared for AI adoption because many countries were deep in corruption and poor governance.

    They expressed fears that full adoption would make people lazy because artificial intelligence could do virtually everything for humans, adding that it could expose people’s data or privacy to risk.

    But the resource persons, who delivered lectures on the importance of AI in security, health, agriculture, and other areas of life, strengthened some misconceptions about AI.

    One of the resource persons, Christian Odo, in his presentation on “AI for Parliamentary Efficiency”, advocated legislative frameworks that would make law-making speedy and seamless.

    Odo said the innovation would help parliamentarians to have effective and efficient drafting of documents and reduce burdensome.

    He said that as legislators and representatives, they were central in ensuring that AI adoption aligns with democratic institutions.

    Odo said, “Parliaments are knowledge-driven institutions that process a large amount of information, ranging from legislative texts to budget reports and citizens’ petitions. Artificial Intelligence offers tools to enhance efficiency, transparency, and oversight in governance”.

    In his lecture titled, AI Deployment in the Health Sector, Theophilus Ukuyoma highlighted the importance of AI in enhancing disease surveillance, diagnosis, and service delivery.

    On AI Deployment in the Security Sector, Professor of Cybersecurity and Computing, Uche Mbanaso, said AI had emerged as a transformative tool for threat detection, border monitoring, early warning systems, and intelligence analysis.

    He said, “AI can be deployed in addressing regional security challenges such as terrorism, trafficking, and cybercrime”.

    While positing that AI had potential for threat detection, Mbanaso said the ECOWAS and its members should embrace a uniform AI technology to strengthen border control and mitigate security risks related to cross-border terrorism and serious crime.

  • ECOWAS launches social protection framework, operational plan to improve social safety nets

    ECOWAS launches social protection framework, operational plan to improve social safety nets

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a Social Protection Framework and Operational Plan to improve social safety nets, expand coverage, and address poverty in the West African sub region.

    The plan, which was adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, covers 2024-2028.

    It is aimed at  providing a practical guide for member states to design and implement effective social protection programmes, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal one – no poverty, and tackling challenges like financing, coverage gaps, and coordination.

    Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Dr. Vanessa Phala highlighted the importance of social protection particularly in health care.

    She described the move as “critical for the well-being and productivity of citizens.”

    The ILO representative noted that social protection was a human right and a social and economic necessity which was crucial in reducing poverty, exclusion, and inequality while enhancing political stability and social cohesion.

    She said: “Social protection is a powerful tool for prevention of and recovery from economic crises, natural hazards and conflicts which are some of the emerging issues in our region.”

    Phala urged ECOWAS member States to “engage with social partners and promote effective social dialogue to achieve the most appropriate national policies and time frames for the progressive implementation of effective social protection floors.”

    She added that the ILO Regional Office for Africa would continue its support for the progressive extension of social protection in the West African countries.

    Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusufu Tanko-Sununu revealed that 19.7 million households in Nigeria were currently captured in Nigeria’s national social safety net register which was  being revised to improve accuracy and reach.

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    Represented by the Director of Social Development at the ministry, Valentine Ezulu, he noted that peace, prosperity and inclusive development in West Africa could only be achieved through sustainable social protection coverage.

    Sununu noted that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty

    Reduction was committed towards strengthening  systems that would address poverty, vulnerability, and humanitarian crises in a holistic and sustainable manner.

    He said: “Verification and Digitisation of the National Social Register (NSR) which is currently being updated contains over 19.78 million Households, allowing for precise and data-driven targeting of the poor and vulnerable.

    “Digitised Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme: More than 5.5 million households are currently benefiting, with plans to reach an additional 1.5 million households nationwide. Under the Renewed Hope GEEP, the Nigerian Government will enhance livelihoods for over 5 million Nigerians through accessible microcredit schemes.iv. Creation and sustenance of thousands of micro and small enterprises across all 774 local government areas in the country.”

    The minister outlined six pathways for poverty reduction, including: Grants for vulnerable groups, the Npower programme, expanded farming opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs), strengthening the National Commission for Refugees, support through the Senior Citizens Centre, and other targeted interventions.

    General Secretary of the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA), John Odah noted that with the exception of Cape Verde, West African countries were performing poorly in social protection coverage.

    He added that there was an urgent need for governments to prioritise policies that directly benefited vulnerable groups.

  • ECOWAS justice ministers validate two instruments of justice

    ECOWAS justice ministers validate two instruments of justice

    ECOWAS Ministers of Justice have validated two critical instruments of the Community Court of Justice.

    The validation of the instrument was carried out during their Ministerial Meeting held in Banjul, The Gambia between August 29 and 30, 2025.

    The meeting was convened under the auspices of the ECOWAS Commission and hosted by the government of The Gambia.

    The meeting Ministers of Justice of the West African countries followed four days meeting of regional experts for the review of the ‘Draft Harmonised Protocol’ and the ‘Draft Arbitration Rules of the Court’.

     Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Muhammed B.S. Jallow,  welcomed delegates on behalf of the President,  Adama Barrow.

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    He described the meeting as a “historic milestone” in consolidating the Court’s mandate.

    He noted that the new Arbitration Rules will enable the ECOWAS Court to provide a credible regional mechanism for resolving commercial disputes, thereby strengthening investor confidence and supporting the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    In his remarks,, President of the Community Court of Justice, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves said that the Harmonised Protocol reflects “lessons learned over more than two decades of judicial practice” and ensures alignment with the Revised ECOWAS Treaty and decisions of the Authority of Heads of  State and Government.

    He stressed that the Protocol will “reinforce the court’s ability to discharge its mandate effectively,” while safeguarding the principles of justice, equity, and human rights that underpin the ECOWAS integration project.

    He added that the adoption of these instruments will shape the future of the court and strengthen the credibility of the ECOWAS legal order.

    Madam Miatta Lily French ECOWAS Resident Representative to The Gambia praised the president of the court and his team for the initiative to ensure the work of the court is made less cumbersome, and to enhance the effectiveness of the court.

    On his part, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone, Alpha Sesay described the court as “a beacon of justice and a symbol of our collective commitment to regional integration and the rule of law’.

    “Our work here will have significant impact on the role that the court continues to play in the sub-region and will strengthen access to justice for our citizens.

    “Through this, we honour our duty to the protection of human rights, promotion of regional integration, and the resolution of disputes through arbitration”, the Chair of the ECOWAS Ministers of Justice added.

    Delivering his keynote address,   Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia,Dawda A. Jallow, outlined the importance of equipping ECOWAS with arbitration tools comparable to international standards.

    He stressed that the Community Court of Justice has the potential to become a continental hub for arbitration and reaffirmed the need to empower it to address both human rights and economic disputes within the region.

    The ECOWAS ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the adoption of the Harmonised Protocol and Arbitration Rules strengthens the Community Court of Justice to deliver on its mandate and advance regional integration.

    The instruments, once validated by the ministers, will be submitted to the Authority of Heads of State and Government for adoption.

    Their entry into force will enhance the court’s effectiveness in safeguarding human rights, promoting rule of law, and supporting economic integration across West Afrrica.

    The Harmonised Protocol integrates years of fragmented amendments into a single comprehensive text that defines the court’s composition, jurisdiction, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms.

    The consolidation aims to eliminate inconsistencies, streamline judicial processes, provide better clarity and greater legal certainty to member states and citizens. While the arbitration rules will serve as a regional mechanism for commercial and investment dispute resolution.

  • ECOWAS’s 260,000 force

    ECOWAS’s 260,000 force

    •This regional cooperation is a step in the right direction; it must be followed to logical conclusion

    Given the asymmetrical dimension that terrorism has assumed, particularly in the West African sub region, the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to set up a 260,000-strong counter-terrorism brigade to, as its name implies, deal with the scourge of terrorism is a step in the right direction.

    It is a bold statement that the regional body is truly concerned about the evil that terror represents and is prepared to give it a tough fight.   

    The president of the commission, Omar Touray, disclosed this at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, with the theme “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration’’. Touray was represented by ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah.

    About $2.5m would be needed annually both to activate and provide logistics for the brigade, as well as offer financial support to frontline states battling terrorism.

    Touray said: “On the directive of the ECOWAS Heads of Government, the organisation is in the process of activating a 260,000 rapid deployment counter-terrorism brigade and providing logistics and financial support to frontline states facing terrorism.

    “While ECOWAS remains firmly committed to raising its 5,000-man brigade under the auspices of the African Peace and Security Architecture, and more particularly the Continental Standby Force, the activation of this rapid deployment force has become a necessity, given the asymmetric security dynamics in the region. We are conscious of the fact that this bold initiative requires the necessary financial resources and capabilities to make it a reality.’’

    Touray added that “There is no gainsaying that West Africa, in particular the Sahel sub-region, has emerged as the epicentre of global terrorism, with several analytical surveys indicating that the Sahel accounted for 51 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2024 alone.’’

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    We welcome this initiative and indeed appeal to organisations and individuals who have the means to support it.

    Indeed, we also join ECOWAS in appealing to the United Nations to redeem the pledge it made under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 of December 2023 to fund 75 per cent of African-led peace support operations.

    The fact of the matter is; the terror war is beyond the capacity of the regional group. This is much more so with Africa currently contending with more than 1,000 insurgent groups, according to Nigeria’s former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who also spoke at the summit.

    This is not a joking matter.

    Indeed, as Gambari added, it is high time regional blocs built homegrown defence industries and technologies to confront rising insecurity. Moreover, individual countries have to create or strengthen their intelligence architecture to successfully tackle terror.

    There is no doubt that, given the scale of operations of terrorists these days, counter-terrorism forces must necessarily be extensive and consequently expensive.

    Then, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have to be brought into the picture. It is gratifying that they have indicated willingness to join in concerted efforts to battle terror. They too are not immune from the traumatic pains that terrorism has inflicted on the continent. It is important they are carried along because, when one area is safe, it rubs off on other areas and vice versa.

    We know that individual countries have their peculiar challenges, but then, security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government.

    What we are saying in essence is that it is one thing to realise that something is a potential danger; it is another to treat it as the emergency that it is. The earlier the West African governments realised this, the better. The regional leaders have to put their money where their mouths are and treat the threats of the bandits and terrorists as priority.

    They must pull resources by all means because if they do not kill terror, terror will kill the region.