ECOWAS Launches A Regional Tourism Capacity-Building Program to Drive Regional Integration.
By Raymond Enoch
In a strategic move to harness the potential of tourism as a powerful engine for regional integration and economic growth, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a multi-day capacity-building program aimed at enhancing the tourism sector across all Member States.
The initiative, which kicked off in Banjul, The Gambia, on March 17, 2025, is set to empower stakeholders with the skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to elevate the region’s tourism standards, boost investment, and foster greater cooperation.f
This groundbreaking program was launched with the approval of His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and comes in response to the growing recognition of tourism as a critical driver of economic integration. According to Dr. Touray, the program is designed to build the capacity of tourism professionals across the region and make tourism a central pillar of ECOWAS’ integration agenda.
“The tourism sector holds immense potential for job creation and economic development. By enhancing cooperation and establishing uniform standards across the region, we can create a more attractive and competitive tourism market,” stated Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, speaking through the ECOWAS Director of Private Sector, Mr Tony Elumelu , who is leading the program in line with ECOWAS’ vision for regional development.
Dr. Tony Elumelu,, highlighted the importance of a harmonized approach to tourism development. He emphasized that the ECOWAS tourism initiative is not just about knowledge sharing but about concrete action. “We are not just talking about tourism; we are talking about transforming the sector to contribute meaningfully to economic growth, job creation, and increased regional cooperation,” said Elumelu.
A central element of the program is its focus on implementing the ECOTOR 1929 policy framework, which aims to boost tourism visibility, standardize services across the region, and increase mobility. Dr. Elumelu stressed that a five-star hotel in Togo should offer the same quality of service as one in Nigeria or The Gambia, building trust and attracting investment across borders.
Tourism experts Dr. Adam Abar and Dr. Momodou Bar echoed these sentiments, urging participants to move from strategy to action. “This program is about concrete results. It’s about creating a competitive tourism sector that attracts visitors and investments,” said Dr. Abar. The experts further emphasized that stakeholders must fully understand and implement ECOWAS’ tourism policies if the region’s tourism industry is to thrive.
The capacity-building program will feature a range of technical sessions and policy discussions, addressing key areas such as hotel classification, regulatory frameworks, and tourism management best practices. Participants will also engage in workshops designed to empower women and youth, enhancing inclusive economic development through tourism.
As the program progresses, ECOWAS will continue to engage stakeholders, ensuring that the insights gained are translated into actionable outcomes. By the end of the program, participants are expected to have developed clear roadmaps for enhancing tourism development at both the national and regional levels.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the tourism sector becomes a key driver of sustainable economic growth, job creation, and regional cooperation,” said Sheikh Tijang Nyang, a tourism consultant involved in the initiative. “This program is a crucial step toward realizing that vision.”
The program is aligned with the broader ECOWAS Vision 2050, which aims to create a more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful West Africa. As it culminates, the initiative will produce a final assessment and strategy session, outlining key takeaways, concrete action points, and mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of tourism policies.
In sum, ECOWAS’ tourism capacity-building program represents a bold step toward not only strengthening regional cooperation but also positioning tourism as a key driver of West Africa’s economic future.
