ECOWAS Commission President Deepens Strategic Engagement with Bretton Woods Institutions By Raymond Enoch
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, has strengthened the regional bloc’s engagement with the Bretton Woods Institutions following an official visit to their headquarters in Washington, D.C., on September 28 and 29, 2026.
The visit, undertaken on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, was aimed at deepening cooperation with key international financial institutions and mobilising greater support for the ECOWAS regional development agenda.
General Diop was accompanied by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Hon. Francess Alghali; Director of External Relations, Mr. Jerome Boa; Director of Political Affairs, Mr. Babatunde Afolabi; and officials of the ECOWAS Representation to the United Nations, including Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai and Mrs. Esther Daramola.
During the high-level engagement, the ECOWAS Commission President held consultations with senior officials of the International Monetary Fund, including Professor Ouattara Wautabouna, Executive Director for the IMF West Africa Constituency, and Mr. Zeine Zeidane, Director of the IMF African Department.
The discussions provided an opportunity to explore avenues for stronger collaboration between ECOWAS and the Bretton Woods Institutions in support of regional economic development, integration and sustainable growth across West Africa.
The engagement also underscored ECOWAS’ efforts to strengthen partnerships with international financial institutions as the Commission pursues its regional priorities and seeks increased investment and development support for member states.
The visit forms part of the Commission’s broader diplomatic and institutional engagement aimed at mobilising strategic partnerships and resources to advance regional development, economic integration, peace and stability in West Africa.
