The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched four major regional initiatives worth over $120 million, with funding from the European Union, Germany and Spain. The projects, announced on Wednesday, aim to improve peace, governance, institutional capacity and trade within the bloc.
The initiatives, worth over €105 million in total, are designed to strengthen ECOWAS’ role in promoting regional stability and economic integration. Key areas of focus include improving governance, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting exports in services and enhancing regional trade competitiveness.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray thanked the EU and its partners for their continued support. He reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to sustainable development, peace and governance, focusing on the needs of West African citizens.
The event was attended by senior officials from ECOWAS, the EU, Germany, Spain and implementing agencies such as GIZ (Germany), the UN Industrial Development Organisation, Expertise France and Spain’s development agency AECID.
Established in 1975, ECOWAS has long worked to advance regional cooperation in sectors such as trade, security and finance, address common challenges and promote the prosperity of its 15 member states.