ECOWAS Advances Regional Geospatial Data Infrastructure with Strategic Workshop in Lomé.
By Raymond Enoch
In a groundbreaking effort to enhance regional cooperation and decision-making, the ECOWAS Commission, through its Early Warning Directorate, successfully concluded a two-day consultative workshop on the Regional Geospatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Project.
The workshop which was held in Lomé, Republic of Togo, brought together national geospatial agencies, technical experts, and international partners to create a unified framework for geospatial data management across ECOWAS Member States.
The workshop was declared closed by Her Excellency Mrs. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, who underscored the significance of harmonizing, centralizing, and standardizing geospatial data in the region.
In her address, delivered on her behalf by Dr. Onyinye Nkechi Onwuka, Acting Director of the Early Warning Directorate, the Vice President highlighted the urgency for greater institutional collaboration to strengthen human security and promote sustainable development across West Africa.
The SDI Project aims to revolutionize governance, crisis response, and development planning by ensuring that all ECOWAS Member States have access to a unified and reliable geospatial data infrastructure. This initiative will play a critical role in supporting evidence-based decision-making and fostering long-term sustainable growth in the region.
During the two-day workshop, participants validated the SDI framework and reached a consensus on policy recommendations and strategies for data harmonization. This collaborative effort also focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project, reinforcing the commitment to continuous engagement from all Member States.
Echoing these sentiments, Vice President Tchintchibidja, in her closing remarks, reaffirmed the ECOWAS Commission’s full support for the SDI initiative. She urged all Member States to remain actively engaged in the project, stating, “Together, let us construct a geospatial infrastructure that enables our region to act with greater impact, coordinate, and anticipate.”
The workshop was made possible by the support of key partners, including AFRIGIST and Sénégal Numérique SA, and received immense hospitality from the Government of Togo, whose continued commitment to regional integration was acknowledged and appreciated by the ECOWAS Commission.
As the ECOWAS Commission moves forward with the SDI Project, the groundwork laid during this workshop is set to provide the foundation for a future where West Africa can respond more effectively to challenges, with data-driven solutions guiding its development and security strategies.
