Economic Community of West African States–Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation Partner to Strengthen Regional Resilience, Seal €16m Deal. By Raymond Enoch
Economic Community
The ECOWAS Commission and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) have signed two Memoranda of Understanding under the ECOWAS–AECID Cooperation Programme (2025–2028), sealing a €16 million partnership aimed at strengthening regional resilience, inclusion, and integration across West Africa.
The landmark agreement is expected to bolster rural development, gender equality and equity, and the empowerment of women and girls, while advancing key sectors including agriculture and food security, renewable energy access, infrastructure development, and institutional capacity building. The initiative aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, the bloc’s long-term blueprint for sustainable growth and regional transformation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, described the partnership as one of the most significant cooperation frameworks between Spain and any Regional Economic Community in Africa. He emphasized that the agreement reflects a strategic alliance anchored on shared priorities and mutual respect.
For his part, AECID Director Antón Leis García reaffirmed Spain’s enduring commitment to West Africa, noting that the €16 million programme is structured to deliver tangible development outcomes while strengthening ECOWAS’ institutional effectiveness.
Beyond financial support, the MoUs are expected to enhance policy coordination among Member States, reinforce regional integration mechanisms, and promote inclusive growth — particularly for vulnerable communities and women across the sub-region.
The renewed ECOWAS–AECID cooperation comes at a pivotal moment as West African governments confront economic, social, and climate-related pressures. Observers say the partnership signals growing international confidence in ECOWAS’ integration agenda and its capacity to drive transformative regional change.
With implementation set to commence under the 2025–2028 framework, stakeholders express optimism that the collaboration will deepen integration efforts and deliver measurable improvements in resilience and inclusion across West Africa.
