ECOWAS Records Economic Recovery, Trains 500 Journalists, Deepens Regional Unity — Touray By Raymond Enoch
The President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, on Monday presented a comprehensive account of the implementation of the Community Work Programme before the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, declaring that the regional body has remained resilient despite mounting global economic and security pressures.
In what is noted as a landmark presentation and his final official address to Parliament ahead of the end of his tenure in August 2026, Dr. Touray painted a picture of a region steadily regaining economic momentum while confronting terrorism, political instability and disinformation across West Africa.
Addressing ECOWAS lawmakers at the Parliament in Abuja, the ECOWAS Commission President disclosed that the region’s economic growth improved from 4.3 per cent in 2024 to 4.8 per cent in 2025, with projections indicating a rise to 5.0 per cent in 2026.
He attributed the progress to reforms undertaken by Member States, improved fiscal management, declining inflation and renewed efforts to strengthen intra-regional trade under the ECOWAS integration framework.
Touray urged Member States not to relent in sustaining economic reforms capable of driving industrial growth, job creation and regional competitiveness.
Beyond economic indicators, the ECOWAS Commission President highlighted major interventions in peace and security, revealing that the Commission intensified mediation and preventive diplomacy initiatives across troubled areas in the sub-region.
He said preparations for the proposed ECOWAS Regional Counterterrorism Force had advanced considerably as the region continues to confront threats posed by violent extremism and cross-border insecurity.
The Commission, according to him, also strengthened maritime and border security mechanisms while maintaining diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger under the Alliance of Sahel States framework despite the political tensions surrounding their relationship with ECOWAS.
Touray further disclosed that more than 5.3 million vulnerable citizens across the region benefitted from ECOWAS humanitarian interventions, particularly in conflict-affected and disaster-prone communities.
He added that the Commission expanded empowerment opportunities for youths and women through entrepreneurship support schemes, academic mobility programmes and regional development initiatives targeted at reducing unemployment and social exclusion.
One of the highpoints of the presentation was the Commission’s renewed emphasis on information management and strategic communication in combating misinformation and fake news across West Africa.
Dr. Touray announced that over 500 journalists from across the ECOWAS region had been trained on combating misinformation and disinformation, especially their dangerous impact on peace, democracy and regional stability.
He also revealed that the ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy is currently being modernised to address emerging realities surrounding social media and artificial intelligence.
According to him, ECOWAS has equally supported The Gambia in establishing the region’s first National Response Centre to Combat Misinformation, a move seen as part of broader efforts to protect democratic institutions and public trust.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to regional integration, Dr. Touray said ECOWAS would continue to prioritise stronger cooperation, accountability and citizen-focused governance aimed at building a peaceful and prosperous West Africa.
Political analysts within ECOWAS circles believe the presentation serves as both a policy scorecard and a transition document as the regional bloc prepares for new leadership later this year.
For many parliamentarians and regional stakeholders, the address reflected the growing determination of ECOWAS to reposition itself amid rising geopolitical uncertainties, security challenges and economic transformation efforts shaping the future of West Africa.
