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ECOWAS experts hail Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre office as model for regional integration

Experts in the extractive sector of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have applauded Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), describing it as a benchmark of digital excellence and transparency in the region’s mining industry.

The commendation was made on Friday in Abuja during a visit by a high-level ECOWAS delegation, which is in the country to finalise frameworks for a regional Geo-Extractive Observatory and Mining Cadastral System.

Leader of the delegation, Mr. William Badieo, praised the evolution of Nigeria’s mining governance, particularly the strides made through the Electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (EMC+), which was launched in November 2022. He noted that Nigeria’s progress provides a strong foundation for the development of a harmonised regional mining cadastre.

Badieo, who also heads the ECOWAS initiative on regional mining systems, said the team’s visit aims to assess Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and transparency mechanisms as a model for other member states in implementing the proposed regional platform.

“We’ve moved beyond theory. The first feasibility report confirmed the possibility of a regional geo-extractive observatory. This second phase is about ensuring each member state meets the baseline operational standards before full integration,” he explained.

He applauded Nigeria’s EMC+ platform, saying, “Nigeria is far ahead. Today, we witnessed a practical demonstration of a fully functional, transparent, and accessible system. It’s not only operational, it’s exemplary.”

Welcoming the delegation, Director-General of the MCO, Engr. Nkom said the visit was “not just an honour for the agency, but for Nigeria’s mining sector and the entire nation.” He noted that Nigeria’s journey from paper-based maps to a fully web-based cadastre had placed the country in a leadership position in Africa.

“This synergy will ensure any investor coming into the ECOWAS region can access harmonised, transparent data using GIS platforms,” Nkom said. “It’s not just about national progress, it’s a continental vision.”

Highlighting that the country’s digitisation is rooted in regulatory frameworks of the 2011 Mining Regulations, the MCO boss added that the system is committed to transparency, technical integrity, and investor confidence.

According to Nkom, “This is a technically driven sector, not one led by politicians,” insisting that “Engineers, geologists, and professionals must build systems that reflect accuracy and trust.”

Commending the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for the ECOWAS initiative, the Director-General said, “The Honourable Minister is very passionate about regional integration and wishes he could join this visit. He believes in collaborative development and creating investor-friendly ecosystems,” he stated.

On the importance of the visit to MCO, Nkom emphasised that the visit signals a major step toward regional integration in the mining sector, with Nigeria playing a central leadership role in shaping a harmonised, transparent, and investor-ready West African extractive industry.

Describing Nigeria’s EMC+ system as an eye-opener, a member of the ECOWAS delegate and the Chief Geologist at Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum, Mr. Madu Hassan Fika said his findings have changed his perception of the level of preparedness of the country to exploit te Solid Minerals sector.

Addressing reporters after that visit around the MCO Abuja office, Fika said, “My impression was marvellous. I never expected to see such a highly advanced digital platform. This visit changed my perception of how far Nigeria has come in using technology for mining governance,” he said.

He emphasised that a unified digital system across the sub-region would enhance transparency, accountability, and regional competitiveness. “Nigeria is strategically positioned to lead this integration and showcase what is possible to the world,” Fika stated.

Applauding Nigeria’s efforts, Eugene Norman, Head of the Mining Cadastre Office of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS delegate, said, “Other member states are using different systems, but as West Africans, we are working toward a harmonised geo-observatory and mining cadastral system,” he said.

“It is important that we learn from Nigeria’s experience what works, what doesn’t, so we can guide our countries accordingly. Peer-to-peer learning is crucial,” Norman added. “This visit will help elevate all member states to a common standard, amplify our collective success, and boost investor confidence across the region.”

The ECOWAS team is in Abuja to conclude its technical review of a second feasibility report on the proposed regional platform, which will consolidate mining and extractive data across member states. Nigeria’s digital platform is expected to serve as a foundational model.

May 16, 2025
Why trade among ECOWAS member states is underreported, by Hon. Munir

Hon. Ahmed Munir, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has attributed the underreporting of trade among Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) members to the dominance of informal sector activities across the region.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Delocalised Meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure, Energy, and Mines in Lomé, Togo, Munir, who represents Jere Federal Constituency in Kaduna and serves as Deputy Chair of the ECOWAS Committee on Infrastructure, emphasised the need to integrate informal trade into the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) calculations of member states.

“A huge volume of trade is happening in West Africa, but much of it occurs within the informal sector, which is why it’s not properly captured in official statistics,” he said.

He urged regional governments to formalise informal economic activities, stressing that doing so would not only reflect the true scale of intra-regional trade but also strengthen the overall ECOWAS economic ecosystem.

“You’ll be shocked at how robust trade is in West Africa,” Munir noted, adding that the informal sector stands to benefit significantly from better integration and recognition within formal economic frameworks.

“But it falls in the category of the informal sector. And it’s not properly captured. And these are one of the few assignments that we have to do in tandem with what we are doing here. How do you bring the informal sector into the formal sector? Number one, for the possibility to have a wider net, of course, for the economy to be captured in our GDP. But even more important than that is, no matter what they’re doing in the formal sector, it is more beneficial for them to be part of the formal sector because they have certain access to funding and protection that is key.”

He was hopeful that the regional body would be able to fashion out something workable and beneficial for all the sectors of the economy.

On the need to reduce the cost of airfare within the region, which is the main reason for the Lome meeting, Munir said addressing interconnectivity among member states is critical to the regional integration policy.

He stressed that there cannot be proper integration without ease in the movement of goods and people.

He explained: “At the moment, I always like to look at the glass half full. No doubt, we have a lot of work to do.

“But it’s not insurmountable. At the moment, as you’re aware, from Lagos to Dakar, they’ve started the roads that will connect them. Especially from the Nigerian side, at least I can speak for that has been captured in our budget.

“So there just needs to be more work as a community to ensure not only does the road get from Lagos to Dakar, but also with transhipment to Cape Verde. We have to look at our rivers. There’s a lot of interconnectivity among the rivers within the ECOWAS sub-region, especially the landlocked, how we can get certain goods across to them, whether we need to dredge those rivers, and what happens”.

Read Also: ECOWAS targets 40% increase in air travel with planned 25% cut in passenger charges

He also said that Public-Private Partnership should be considered in the Infrastructure efforts.

“So yes, there’s a lot of work to do. And it shouldn’t fall on the government alone. Some of these things have to be looked at from the eyes of PPP. Along the highways within these great countries in West Africa, certain private entities take responsibility for the construction and maintenance of certain stretches of the road, and they’re able to recoup their investment fairly through toll gates. Apart from toll gates, there can also be tax incentives. Whatever work certain construction or factories within the region are willing to do, certain infrastructure projects, you can also develop some tax credit bricks.

“So there are so many innovative ways that we’re here to lend our voice and see how we can move forward.

The legislator was also positive despite the challenges confronting ECOWAS, saying that with a population of about 400 million, there is hope for the region.

Munir said like the mobile telephone revolution, “We want to achieve the same within the aviation airline industry as well, for passengers, for West Africans to be able to connect among each other, to trade among each other, to have tourism among each other, to have education across various universities among each other.

“So there’s a lot of work to be done. And like I said, it is meetings and gatherings like this. And you can ask, is there hope? The fact that we’re here, the fact that we’re working on a bill to achieve that, and subsequently, by the end of this conference, by Saturday, we’ll have a document in place after sitting with all stakeholders.

“And then, of course, it will go to the relevant bodies that will hopefully ensure it is implemented. And then most importantly, we parliamentarians will go back to our countries and domesticate what we have reached over here. And yes, plenty of hope for tomorrow.”

The legislator stressed that at 50, ECOWAS has achieved a lot of milestones, which signifies hope for the sub-region’s integration policy.

He stressed: “But I’m trying to base my answers on facts. For you to know that there is hope. And the hope is based on the work that is on the ground. And we’re achieving great things together. You need to see the infrastructure that ECOWAS is doing. You need to see what they’re doing in the power sector, in the transport sector.

“There are a lot of wins if we focus on them. Now, having said that, yes, we’re mostly advisory when we come here. But this interaction that we have with our colleagues, once we have a common front, for now, as whatever reforms that need to be taking place are being taken care of, patiently, adequately, and responsibly.

“The truth of the matter is once we meet here, once we come up with tangible ideas, policies, or laws that will be beneficial for the entire ECOWAS team, ECOWAS, we come together, go back to our various countries, and try to navigate it through. And then we meet ourselves at a future point. Work like this is grinding. We have various nations. They are all sovereign. They all have various interests. So, putting all these interests together is not an easy task. Now, all of us want to reach the same destination, but we just have different ideas of how to get there. So the idea for us is to form a common front and move forward as one.

“And I believe we can do so because I am seeing it practically here. And I’m proud of the work that we’re doing here. And the idea is to pass the baton to the next set of parliamentarians that will come in until we get to our destination.

“We have come a long way from where we were. And coming together, obviously, you can see the strength in unity. But we still have a long way to go. And with various reforms that are being projected, with the various work that you can see us doing here, setting targets that are short-term, medium-term, and long-term as well, I believe we’re going places.

“And the other thing that we also have to put in place is, remember, it’s not just the parliamentary body, but there are other segments, heads of states, and so on. I think that everybody working together is key. And we will get there.”

May 9, 2025
ECOWAS targets 40% increase in air travel with planned 25% cut in passenger charges

The planned implementation of a 25% reduction in passenger service and security charges across ECOWAS member states is projected to boost regional air travel traffic by 40%, according to the ECOWAS Director of Transport, Chris Appiah.

Appiah said the move is part of a broader strategy to reform the region’s air transport ecosystem, which currently struggles with high airfare and underwhelming performance.

“Despite having the highest airfares globally, no West African airport ranks among the top eight on the continent, and no airline from the region is in the top seven,” he noted.

Speaking at the sidelines of the ongoing 6th Legislature Delocalised Meeting of the Joint Committee on Infrastructure, Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources in Lomé, Togo, Appiah emphasised the need for change.

The meeting, themed “Air Transport as a Means of Integration for West African Peoples: A Strategy for Reducing Airline Ticket Costs”, is focusing on practical solutions to address the challenges of air travel in the sub-region.

A report presented at the meeting revealed that passengers in West Africa face up to 66 different charges, while airlines contend with 112, all contributing to exorbitant ticket prices.

Read Also: ECOWAS court, Lagos Judiciary strengthen regional judicial ties

To address this, a committee of experts has called on ECOWAS member states to adopt a regional strategy that includes the removal of all non-essential taxes in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) principles, and a 25% reduction in passenger service and security charges starting from January 1, 2026.

The committee also urged airlines to pass on the financial benefits from these reductions to consumers through lower ticket prices. Additionally, airports are encouraged to adopt efficient business models, reduce operational costs, and increase non-aeronautical revenues to ensure long-term sustainability.

Appiah stressed that the potential benefits of cancelling taxes and reducing charges by 25% by 1 January 2026 are enormous.

He explained that contrary to insinuations that a reduction in taxes and charges will reduce earnings of the airlines, such an action will only boost air travel within the region, which is still low when compared to other regions on the continent.

He said: “He further explained: “From our analysis and our simulations, if we can remove the taxes and reduce the charges by 25%, within a year, we have the potential of increasing air travel traffic by over 40%. So there was a notion before that when you remove taxes or you reduce charges, your revenue to governments and service providers would reduce. That has proven not to be true, because once you reduce these charges and remove the taxes, it has been proven that you are going to increase demand and traffic by over 40%. And that connotes increased revenue for the same uses that we seek to tax, to address.”

“Now, another finding that came out of our study was that in North Africa, Southern Africa, and East Africa, where some governments are charging zero taxes on air transport services, when we rank the top 10 airports in terms of passenger travel, the first eight are from these regions.”

May 8, 2025
ECOWAS court, Lagos Judiciary strengthen regional judicial ties

The ECOWAS Court of Justice and Lagos State Judiciary have pledged to work more closely to deepen regional judicial cooperation.

The development followed a high-level dialogue between the two.

The meeting, attended by senior judicial personalities, focused on fostering collaboration in the areas of human rights protection, legal integration and the rule of law across West Africa.

It also marked a renewed commitment to joint action among regional and national courts.

President of ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, stressed the importance of partnership over competition among judicial bodies.

“Our roles may differ in scope or geography, but our purpose remains the same: to serve our people.

“Our courts are not competitors. We are collaborators,” he said.

Justice Gonçalves proposed institutionalising cooperation through joint consultations and judicial exchanges, with the goal of enhancing legal consistency and strengthening justice delivery across ECOWAS member states.

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, welcomed the ECOWAS delegation and praised the initiative as a “golden opportunity” for mutual learning.

Read Also: Ribadu urges effective ECOWAS measures to counter IED threats

He acknowledged the regional court’s contribution to the recent renovation of a courtroom at Osborne Courthouse, calling it a symbolic and practical gesture of solidarity.

“We do not simply render judgments; we are concerned with their implementation and their actual impact on the society,” Justice Alogba said, pointing to persistent challenges in enforcing regional court rulings.

The Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court, Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, highlighted the court’s expanding role in human rights litigation, now the dominant feature of its docket.

He reaffirmed the court’s respect for national sovereignty.

“The ECOWAS Court does not serve as an appellate court over national judiciaries. Rather, it offers a complementary path to justice when national remedies have been exhausted,” he said.

He described Lagos as a critical hub for regional legal cooperation, reflecting the court’s broader aim of bringing justice closer to citizens.

“The transformation of ECOWAS from a ‘Community of States’ to a ‘Community of Peoples’ can only be realised when the grassroots are carried along in this integration project,” he said.

The dialogue continued with technical sessions focusing on judicial best practices, institutional cooperation and strategies to expand access to justice throughout the sub-region.

May 8, 2025
The ECOWAS education question: CSR (2)

INVEST IN THE YOUTH AND WATCH YOUR DIVIDEND GROW!

More GOVERNMENT BUDGETARY MONEY and MORE CSR by Corporate ECOWAS is required for uplifting primary education – to give a rock-solid foundation. Do not wait till secondary school. A rocky primary school leads to high poor quality dropout rates and poor-quality students seeking secondary school admission. We need primary school Robotics, AI, IT, good practical agricultural education.

THE BILLBOARD MANIA PARADOX: Our corporate bodies erect ‘international standard’ hugely expensive mega-billboards often with pictures of footballs and admired footballers paradoxically contrasting with neglected neighbouring braindead schools, requiring corporate petty cash for FOOTBALLS and books to change their educational trajectory. It is a corporate no-brainer Advertising Strategy Course 101 that for every N20-50m billboard, N2-5m must be spent in donating ‘with fanfare’ 1000 branded balls (foot, basket etc.) and 1000 library books to schools in the dark shadow of the billboards which shamefully have NEVER had a real football from the usual suspects- government, corporates, PTAs or Old School Associations.

To DISCOVER INNER TALENT youth must have access, NOT TO BILLBOARDS, but to balls, paper, paintbrushes, musical instruments, the science lab today. Can we demand a BILLBOARD TAX FOR SCHOOL EQUIPMENT? The 1,000 footballs would give publicity, improved mental health, opportunities to shine and meet others as an anti-drugs and anti-cult strategy.

IN ECOWAS CSR SHOULD BE ELEVATED TO AN AWARD-WINNING ANNUAL CEREMONY/COMPETITION FOR NOBLE CAUSES and not a HQ media frenzy, gimmick event, to steal, trickling through a waste pipe tap. CSR should cascade far beyond the HQ like a shower reaching everywhere through branches, distributors, employees, customers, contacts, old schools, neighbourhoods & customers’ families and communities.

IN THE ECOWAS THE CSR REPORT MUST BE UPGRADED, SUBMITTED, EXAMINED AND GRADED DURING ANY CORPORATE/GOVERNMENT CONTACT/SHORTLISTING/CONTRACT AWARDING PROCEDURE.

It is May. IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS there will be THE ANNUAL MOCK Exam. The MOCK indigent failures, without funds for private teachers, usually fail WASC or NECO. We require a standardised system in which GOOD MOTIVATED teachers teach the indigent students POST MOCK as well. IN EDUCARE TRUST we achieved a 60 percent PASS RATE FROM SUCH A SCHEME FOR 160 STUDENTS. Most of our ECOWAS youth require a little help to avoid failure. Empower the education workforce and improve the environment -posters, books, sanitation, toilets and running water. A school’s 300 students and teachers will visit TOILETS 3-900 times a day. Remember that please when you are thinking about CSR.

ECOWAS School Curricula need to include material taught by NGOs – CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

TO REALLY HELP, The ECOWAS Chambers of Commerce and Industries must AS A POLICY EXPAND CSR COMPLIANCE AS AN ANNUAL RE-REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT WITH PRIZES & should police its own.

SPREAD THE CSR SCRUTINY TO ALL PROFESSIONAL GROUPS AND CONSULTANCIES INCLUDING ENGINEERING, IT/AI, LEGAL, ACCOUNTANCY, MEDICAL.

THE CSR REPORT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AND EXAMINED DURING ANY PARTNERSHIPS CONTRACT AWARDING PROCEDURE EVEN WHEN TAKING ON AN AUDIT, ACCOUNTING AND LEGAL TEAM.

Read Also: ECOWAS Court to member states: bring justice closer to people

EDUCARE TRUST WAS BEGUN TO INSERT CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY THROUGH SOCIAL MESSAGING in public schools. TODAY CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES are key to IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BUT THEY RARELY GO AROUND. When you think of currency, please think of children. Corporate petty cash changes the lives of nearby children. Think stocks and shares, also THINK PROVIDING YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES. Thirty years ago, we started THE ET HOLIDAY SCHOOL -HOLISCHOOL -to occupy the youth, physically and mentally, during holidays in co-curricular and CURRICULAR progress. At our prompting and to the credit of Educare Trust, now, EVERY PRIVATE SCHOOL RUNS A HOLISCHOOL PROGRAMME. Great, BUT GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS DO NOT RUN SUCH PROGRAMMES. WHO LOSES? THE POOR ECOWAS STUDENT.

WHY ARE WE SHOOTING OUR YOUTH IN THE BRAIN, DESTROYING OUR FUTURE?

ECOWAS may obtain Commerce and Industry Achievements, overcome challenges to business success but if the youth are under-equipped there will be no successful future, only frustration, insecurity and violence. Education is not a guarantee for development or an inoculation against corruption but it is a better stepping stone, than ignorance, towards Peace & Security.

The Youth Question is an explosive but surmountable Challenge requiring Solutions like increased Government budgetary and Private Sector CSR input. ECOWAS will lose if it mismanages this Opportunity and Responsibility to lay the foundation for future Peace and Security, prerequisites for economic development.

Our ECOWAS youth, for REGIONAL INTEGRATION need INCREASED EDUCATION BUDGETS AND CLEAR 2025 CSR GUIDELINES ACROSS ECOWAS NOW, FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

ASK THE MODIFIED JF KENNEDY QUESTION

ASK NOT WHAT THE YOUTH, POTENTIAL CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS, CAN DO FOR YOUR COMPANY NOW, BUT… WHAT YOU CAN DO, WITH CSR, TO KEEP THEM ALIVE, LIVING LONGER TO BENEFIT YOUR COMPANY LONGER BY BUYING YOUR PRODUCTS LONGER?

THE YOUTH EDUCATION QUESTION —SUMMARY:

NONPOLITICISED YOUTH CENTRES IN EVERY POLITICAL UNIT

IMPROVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH OLD STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS

EXPAND & ELEVATE PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION CONTENT

INCREASE EDUCATION BUDGETS AND CSR CAPTURE

Aim for AN OPTIMUM STANDARD TEACHER AND STUDENT FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT

DISBURSE CSR TO THE PERIPHERY –WIDELY

SCHOOL NEEDS LIST –ANNUAL

BALANCE DIRECT CSR vs BILLBOARD COSTS

FUND TEACHERS FOR INDIGENT STUDENT POST-MOCK EXAM INTENSIVE COACHING

THE CSR REPORT MUST BE ASSESSED FOR PARTNERSHIPS/CONTACTS/CONTRACTS/SERVICE PROVIDERS

INCLUDE SERVICE PROFESSIONALS IN CSR ASSESSMENTS

FINALLY, PLS TAKE AND TEACH AT EVERY BUSINESS MEETING AS A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT/ANTI-EXPLOITATIVE STRATEGY: ‘INVEST IN THE YOUTH AND WATCH YOUR DIVIDEND GROW’

May 7, 2025
Air fare within W/A remains highest globally, says ECOWAS

Air transport fare within the West African sub-region remains the highest anywhere in the world, Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, Mr. Sédiko Douka, has said.

Douka also revealed that studies conducted by renowned organizations showed that air transportation within West Africa is still less than 10per cent, which represented the lowest.

He said the situation has become a barrier to integration of the region.

Douka spoke in Lome yesterday at the opening of Sixth Legislature ECOWAS Parliament Delocalised meeting of Joint Committee of Infrastructure, Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources with the theme: Air transport as a means of integrating the peoples of West Africa: Strategy for reducing the cost of air ticket.

Read Also: UK to restrict visa applications from Nigeria, Pakistan, others

He said the ECOWAS leadership is concerned with the situation and has therefore urged the Commission to coordinate and harmonize the air transport policies, programs, and projects of member states.

He stressed the importance of the Lome meeting to address the gap, revealing that the meeting has the blessing of the Head of States and government.

He said: “The air tariff in West Africa remains excessively high compared to other countries in the world. In this case, it is less expensive to make the flight to another African country than to travel between two countries in ECOWAS. This situation is counterproductive for the future of the West African region and the collective airspace.

“That recent studies conducted by renowned organizations in 2024 have shown low growth in air transport in West Africa (less than 10per cent). This, at a time when other regions, for example, record 40.4per cent for North Africa, 21.4per cent for Southern Africa, and 20.5per cent for East Africa.

Other comparisons made in terms of domestic flights, intra-African travel, major airlines, and airport size have also shown that West Africa lags far behind these same regions mentioned above.

“In accordance with Article 32 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, the statutory bodies have mandated the Commission to coordinate and harmonize the air transport policies, programs, and projects of Member States. Likewise, to contribute all initiatives, strategies, and action plans aimed at improving air transport within its territory.

“In this context, in 2017, the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with Member States, conducted a study on a common policy on fees, taxes, and charges in air transport, the final report of which was submitted in 2018 in Accra.

“This policy was reviewed through validation workshops held by experts and ministers responsible for air transport from member states in May 2021. Subsequently, a task force was created to reflect on and submit recommendations on updating the status of fees, taxes, and charges, and the total elimination or reduction of certain taxes and charges. This is in line with international best practices in the air transport sector.”

Furthermore, during the 65th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on July 7, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government noted in the final communiqué the need to make air transport more accessible and affordable by reducing the cost of air travel to support the regional integration agenda.

“In response to this instruction, a meeting of Ministers responsible for Air Transport was convened on November 8, 2024, here in Lomé. The meeting concluded with modalities for the gradual reduction of taxes, fees, and charges aimed at making air transport more affordable. Thus, an Additional Act A/SA.2/12/24 6, relating to the common policy on fees, taxes and air transport charges in ECOWAS Member States and its implementation strategy, were adopted by the Ministers and submitted to the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on December 15, 2024, which endorsed them.

“Our primary concern is to comply with ICAO principles and recommendations on setting charges, which are: non-discrimination between users, transparency, appropriate pricing for services provided, and user consultation.

“The recommendations made by the Ministers to member states for efficient regional air transport include, among others: Commit to eliminating all taxes in accordance with these ICAO principles and recommendations;

“Reduce the passenger service charge and the security charge by 25per cent; Reduce the cost of aviation fuel, etc.

“All this, with the aim, I say, of making our region efficient in terms of air transport, with its 400 million inhabitants.”

He also urged the meeting to consider the issue of common rules for passenger compensation in the event of denied boarding, cancellation, or significant delays of a flight within the ECOWAS region.

He further added: “The task now lies in working towards the implementation of these community texts by ECOWAS member states, whose effective implementation start date has been set for January 1, 2026, a 15-month period to allow them to prepare, particularly from a budgetary perspective.”

The ECOWAS Commissioner also told Members of Parliament that the region is counting on them “ to implement the community texts that the states themselves initiated and participated in the development, review, and adoption process.”

He therefore urged them “to engage strongly with member states to raise awareness about the implementation of these additional acts with a view to the sustainable development of air transport in West Africa.”

“As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is an opportune time to highlight the organization’s visibility. While many achievements have been made in various areas/sectors of regional integration, these remain largely unknown to ordinary citizens, either due to a lack of awareness, communication, or simply the highly political orientation given to ECOWAS’s vision by stakeholders. Opportunities such as these allow you, as a Representative of the People, to gain a comprehensive view of the challenges, issues, strengths/weaknesses, opportunities/threats, and sectoral achievements,” he added.

May 7, 2025
Ribadu urges effective ECOWAS measures to counter IED threats

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has called for effective mechanisms to enhance ECOWAS countries’ ability to prevent and counter terrorist Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups.

He said terrorism knows no bounds, stressing that collaborative efforts by key stakeholders are crucial to confronting and defeating the menace.

Ribadu said this on Tuesday at the opening of the Stakeholders meeting on Consolidating Collaborative Efforts to Prevent and Counter the Acquisition and Use of IED by Terrorist Groups in West Africa, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Represented by Mohammed Sanusi, Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the NSA said the regional meeting serves as a platform for all members to share knowledge, best practices, and experiences in addressing the threats of IEDs.

He said: “We aim to develop effective mechanisms to enhance our ability to prevent and counter the use of IEDS.

“The recommendations that will emerge from this meeting are vital in sharing and shaping our strategies and initiating efforts to safeguard our communities from IED.”

While commending the partners for their dedication in strengthening their collective efforts in combating terrorism, Ribadu encouraged participants to actively engage in discussion, get ideas, and work towards solutions that would help them on how counterterrorism could affect communities in the West African region

Earlier, Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, emphasised that African countries must take adequate measures to make the fight against terrorism effective.

He said the measures should not involve the prevention and dismantling of IEDS, but proactive and preventive actions that will deconstruct them and promote coordination, cooperation, and adaptation to new threats.

He said, “It is also worth recalling, on a broader point, the debate at the United Nations Security Council on the fight against terrorism in Africa.

Read Also: Ribadu: A break from the past

“It served as an opportunity to raise awareness of the alarming rise of terrorism in Africa and to reaffirm the urgent need to live it in the global interest and to revive international momentum to address this crisis that now threatens security and development in our continent at this time.

“The efforts of our group to strengthen West African capacities take into account local and regional realities and require the reaffirmed commitment of the international community and its determination to combat the use of improvised explosive devices.”

German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, represented by the Head of Political Division, Mathias Dold, said the global trend of weaponising commercial drones tended to jeopardise much of the impressive progress that many countries had made in bringing back stability.

He commended the Government of Nigeria for hosting the event, adding that the German Government and the European Union had continued to support numerous activities that contribute to non-kinetic efforts to prevent and combat violent extremism, such as the integrated border stability mechanisms for West Africa

May 6, 2025
Air fare in West Africa remains highest globally – ECOWAS

Air transport fare within the West African sub-region remains the highest anywhere in the world, Mr. Sédiko Douka, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, has said.

Douka also revealed that recent studies conducted by renowned organizations showed that air transportation within West Africa is still less than 10%, which represents the lowest.

He said the situation has become a barrier to the integration of the region.

Douka spoke in Lome on Tuesday at the opening of the Sixth Legislature ECOWAS Parliament Delocalised meeting of Joint Committee of Infrastructure, Energy and Mines, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, with the theme: Air transport as a means of integrating the peoples of West Africa: Strategy for reducing the cost of air ticket.

He said the ECOWAS leadership is concerned with the situation and has therefore charged the Commission to coordinate and harmonise the air transport policies, programs, and projects of Member States.

He stressed the importance of the Lome meeting to address the gap, revealing that the meeting has the blessing of the Heads of States and governments.

He said: “The air tariff in West Africa remains excessively high compared to other countries in the world. In this case, it is less expensive to make the flight to another African country than to travel between two countries in ECOWAS. This situation is counterproductive for the future of the West African region and the collective airspace.”

He also added: “Recent studies conducted by renowned organisations in 2024 have shown low growth in air transport in West Africa (less than 10%). This, at a time when other regions, for example, record 40.4% for North Africa, 21.4% for Southern Africa, and 20.5% for East Africa. Other comparisons made in terms of domestic flights, intra-African travel, major airlines, and airport size have also shown that West Africa lags far behind these same regions mentioned above.

“In accordance with Article 32 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty, the statutory bodies have mandated the Commission to coordinate and harmonise the air transport policies, programs, and projects of Member States. Likewise, to contribute to all initiatives, strategies, and action plans aimed at improving air transport within its territory.

“In this context, in 2017, the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with Member States, conducted a study on a common policy on fees, taxes, and charges in air transport, the final report of which was submitted in 2018 in Accra.

“This policy was reviewed through validation workshops held by experts and ministers responsible for air transport from member states in May 2021. Subsequently, a task force was created to reflect on and submit recommendations on (i) updating the status of fees, taxes, and charges, and (ii) the total elimination or reduction of certain taxes and charges. This is in line with international best practices in the air transport sector.

Furthermore, during the sixty-fifth (65th) ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, held on July 7, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government noted in the final communiqué the need to make air transport more accessible and affordable by reducing the cost of air travel to support the regional integration agenda.

“In response to this instruction, a meeting of Ministers responsible for Air Transport was convened on November 8, 2024, here in Lomé. The meeting concluded with modalities for the gradual reduction of taxes, fees, and charges aimed at making air transport more affordable. Thus, an Additional Act A/SA.2/12/24 6, relating to the common policy on fees, taxes and air transport charges in ECOWAS Member States and its implementation strategy, were adopted by the Ministers and submitted to the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on December 15, 2024, which endorsed them.

“Our primary concern is to comply with ICAO principles and recommendations on setting charges, which are: (i) non-discrimination between users, (ii) transparency, appropriate pricing for services provided, and (iii) user consultation.

“The recommendations made by the Ministers to Member States for efficient regional air transport include, among others: Commit to eliminating all taxes in accordance with these ICAO principles and recommendations;

“Reduce the passenger service charge and the security charge by 25%; Reduce the cost of aviation fuel, etc.

“All this, with the aim, I say, of making our region efficient in terms of air transport, with its 400 million inhabitants.”

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He also called the meeting to consider the issue of common rules for passenger compensation in the event of denied boarding, cancellation, or significant delays of a flight within the ECOWAS region.

He further added: “The task now lies in working towards the implementation of these community texts by ECOWAS member states, whose effective implementation start date has been set for January 1, 2026, a 15-month period to allow them to prepare, particularly from a budgetary perspective.”

The ECOWAS Commissioner also charged Members of Parliament that the region is counting on them “ to implement the community texts that the states themselves initiated and participated in the development, review, and adoption process.”

He therefore urged them “to engage strongly with member states to raise awareness about the implementation of these additional acts with a view to the sustainable development of air transport in West Africa.”

“As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is an opportune time to highlight the organisation’s visibility. While many achievements have been made in various areas/sectors of regional integration, these remain largely unknown to ordinary citizens, either due to a lack of awareness, communication, or simply the highly political orientation given to ECOWAS’s vision by stakeholders. Opportunities such as these allow you, as a Representative of the People, to gain a comprehensive view of the challenges, issues, strengths/weaknesses, opportunities/threats, and sectoral achievements,” he added.

May 6, 2025
ECOWAS, Ecobank drive alternative energy solutions

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with Ecobank Nigeria and the World Bank, has trained more than 100 entrepreneurs in Nigeria through a specialized program focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the off-grid photovoltaic solar energy sector.

This initiative forms part of the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), which seeks to promote the development of a regional market for standalone solar energy systems. ROGEAP is funded by the World Bank, with additional support from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Directorate General of International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Government of the Netherlands.

El Hadji Sylla, Senior Adviser at the ECOWAS Commission’s ROGEAP, disclosed this during a three-day Entrepreneurship Business Training held in Lagos, organized in collaboration with Ecobank. He noted that Nigerian SMEs have already benefited from grants totaling $800,000 under the project, aimed at increasing participation in the off-grid solar energy value chain.

Sylla explained that the capacity-building workshops, conducted in both Abuja and Lagos, were designed to enhance the technical and financial capabilities of SMEs focused on solar energy. The objective is to better position these businesses for growth and long-term sustainability in the renewable energy sector.

He also stated that ECOWAS is in discussions with Ecobank Group to establish mechanisms that would allow the bank to offer both technical and financial support to SMEs in the solar energy ecosystem. This includes extending direct credit lines to eligible businesses.

According to Sylla, the first component of ROGEAP—led by the ECOWAS Commission—centers on the creation of a strong regional market for off-grid solar solutions. A key strategy involves equipping SMEs with the skills to develop technically sound and financially viable projects that meet commercial lending standards.

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“This year, we have worked closely with Ecobank Nigeria to align solar-focused SME portfolios with the bank’s financing requirements,” Sylla said. “Our goal is to ensure that the submitted projects are not only technically feasible but also bankable.”

Also speaking at the event, Salamatu Baba Tunwzang, Team Lead at ROGEAP’s Entrepreneurship Support Facilities, emphasized that the program goes beyond technical training. She highlighted that participating SMEs are also being prepared to access ROGEAP grants and other funding opportunities.

“When businesses join our network, they gain access to both technical assistance and financial resources,” she said. “We also build the capacity of technical installers, who can equally benefit from these opportunities. It’s a comprehensive support system—they receive funding, technical training, market intelligence, and valuable networking opportunities for collaboration.”

In his remarks, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, reiterated the vital role SMEs play in driving economic sustainability and inclusion. Represented by Otega Aghogho Odjegna, Regional Head for the Apapa-Isolo Region, Lawal described SMEs as the “lifeblood of any economy,” pointing out that they contribute over 80 percent of employment across West Africa.

He further noted that this initiative aligns with Ecobank’s ELLEVATE program and the Single Market Trade Hub, both of which aim to equip SMEs with tailored financial solutions, digital tools, and strategic insights to help them scale and compete in broader markets.

May 5, 2025
ECOWAS parliament Uuges Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to rejoin regional bloc

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has appealed to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reconsider their withdrawal and return to the regional organisation.

The three Sahel nations jointly announced their departure from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, in protest against sanctions imposed over military takeovers in their countries.

Their exit became official in January 2025, in line with ECOWAS protocols.

At the conclusion of a five-day delocalized meeting in Banjul, Gambia, the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., emphasized the importance of unity and regional cooperation.

“We want you back. Let us come together as a team. No matter what, we agree to disagree,” he said.

Snowe described the exit of the three countries as a painful experience, noting that the bloc has been united for five decades.

Supporting the call for reconciliation, Hon. Veronica Seecay, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender, Women in Parliament, and Persons with Disabilities, urged the countries to set aside their differences and return to the fold in the interest of regional integration and the socio-economic welfare of their citizens.

“We need you people, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali. We are a bloc. We should be working together,” she said.

The Chairperson highlighted the importance of unity and cooperation among member states, citing the example of ECOWAS’s intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone during times of conflict.

“We’ve been helping each other. Like for us, who faced the war in Liberia and Sierra Leone. We appreciated the cause that was done by ECOWAS in their intervention to help us calm down the situation in Sierra Leone,” she said.

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She also emphasized the impact of conflict on women and children, saying, “When there is a problem, who faced the bulk of it? It’s women and children.” She appealed to the withdrawn countries to consider the impact of their decision on these vulnerable groups.

The meeting discussed the political, social, economic, and humanitarian impact of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the ECOWAS Parliament.

The Committee Member, Hon. Zainab Gimba in her closing remarks, expressed gratitude to the authorities and people of The Gambia for their warm reception and hospitality.

“We were deeply touched by the warm, fraternal, and gracious reception accorded to us by the authorities and the people of the Republic of The Gambia.

“We hold in high regard the invaluable and decisive role that the Republic of The Gambia continues to play in advancing regional integration and development within ECOWAS institutions, and the ECOWAS Parliament in particular.”

She paid tribute to President Adama Barrow for his commitment to democratic principles and good governance in The Gambia.

She also expressed appreciation to the National Assembly of The Gambia, the Speaker, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, and the Gambian Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, led by Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, for their exceptional hospitality.

She commended the distinguished resource persons and participants for their valuable contributions, which enriched the discussions and enhanced understanding of the subject matter.

“We also appreciated the administrative and support staff for their tireless efforts, which ensured the smooth conduct of the meeting.”

May 2, 2025