The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun preparations for its flagship Trade and Investment Forum and Exhibition (ECOTIFE).
ECOTIFE is expected to drive regional integration, attract investment, and stimulate economic growth across West Africa.
Speaking at the opening of the planning committee meeting in Lagos on Thursday, ECOWAS Director of Trade, Kolawole Sofola, said the forum will “promote trade, strengthen regional cooperation, and generate employment opportunities for West African citizens.”
Sofola delivered the remarks on behalf of ECOWAS Commission President Dr Oumar Alieu Touray and the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Ms Massandjé Touré-Litsé.
Scheduled for November 7–16, 2025, at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, ECOTIFE will bring together public and private sector stakeholders, development partners, and regional institutions.
According to Sofola, the event will feature exhibitions, dialogues, and networking activities designed to showcase the economic potential of ECOWAS member states while fostering sustainable development.
Organizers emphasised that the forum is expected to serve as a platform for concrete strategies to advance intra-regional trade and investment opportunities, aligning with ECOWAS’s broader vision of regional economic integration.
