Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, Indonesia’s Director of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has highlighted the importance of having a visa-free agreement with The Gambia, a longstanding international partner and a strategic hub for trade with West Africa. The Indonesian Director of African Affairs was speaking to the media on the sidelines of an…
Germany has committed €49 million (₦82 billion) to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in advancing peace, security, health, and economic development across the region. The agreement follows bilateral development cooperation talks held on November 4–5, 2025, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. The renewed commitment underscores Germany’s long-standing partnership…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strengthened its regional response to drug abuse with the launch of the 2024 West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) Report in Banjul. The WENDU initiative, implemented by the ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Human Development and Social Affairs, provides critical data on drug use trends,…
The 10th edition of the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF 2025) officially opened on Thursday 18 September 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul. The conference brought together policymakers, development partners, industry leaders, and civil society to advance the region’s clean energy transformation. Hosted by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable…
President Adama Barrow on Thursday received President Julius Maada Bio, who is the newly elected Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, on his official visit to Banjul. The visit came at a pivotal time for the sub-region, as ECOWAS faces complex and pressing challenges ranging from peace and security to…
The ECOWAS Commission has taken a major step towards strengthening private sector representation in West Africa with a preparatory meeting held on July 29, 2025, in Abuja for the official launch of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC). The meeting, organised by the Commission’s Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, brought together key directors and representatives…
Over 1,000 victims of human trafficking across West Africa have received direct support through a joint initiative between the ECOWAS Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, 2025, ECOWAS emphasized its commitment to fighting trafficking with the theme: “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime –…
Young leaders from across West Africa are stepping up to reshape agriculture and food systems, championing resilience, inclusion, and climate-smart practices at a high-level regional convening held in Banjul recently. However, the two-day West Africa Regional Youth Convening, themed “Feeding the Future: Youth-Led Solutions for Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems”, brought together over 60 youth…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has endorsed a groundbreaking training policy aimed at transforming its Standby Force into a fully operational mechanism for peace support operations and regional security. This milestone was achieved during a two-day high-level Governmental Experts’ Validation Meeting held from 16 to 17 July 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. Organised…
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has been appointed the new Chairman of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a one-year term. The announcement was made at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, held on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria. The…
