ECOWAS and OECD Forge New Path for Regional Cooperation and Consultation Process.
By Raymond Enoch
In a significant move to enhance economic development and regional integration, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) officially launched a new consultation process to create a regional cooperation plan.
The meeting, held on the 25th of March, 2025, at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters Abuja, Nigeria marks the beginning of a robust partnership aimed at addressing critical issues facing West Africa.
Mr. Carlos Conde, Head of the Africa and Middle East Division at the OECD, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle the region’s shared challenges. “This new venture represents a crucial step towards sustainable development, particularly in the realms of green energy, climate change, and economic cooperation,” he said in his opening remarks.
The consultation process will focus on several key areas, including the advancement of artificial intelligence, technologies for agricultural development, and institutional support for good governance. Furthermore, discussions will address economic and regional community cooperation, as well as the vital need for mediation and improved regional statistics to support decision-making.
In his welcoming speech, Mambury Njie, Special Adviser on Economic and Financial Integration and Partnership to
the President of the ECOWAS Commission, warmly welcomed the OECD delegationin highlighted the importance of this collaboration in driving the region’s growth. He stressed that a coordinated approach was essential for achieving the sustainable development goals that both ECOWAS and the OECD aim to pursue. “We must develop a framework that fosters long-term cooperation between our organizations,” Njie said.
Adding to the significance of the partnership, Mr. Jérôme Boa, Director of External Relations at ECOWAS, noted that the OECD’s involvement would be crucial in fostering economic and financial integration. His statement reinforced the shared vision of both parties to promote peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.
As the consultation process unfolds, experts and stakeholders from various sectors are expected to come together to design a plan that will guide future regional cooperation efforts. The initiative promises to pave the way for more strategic investments, foster innovation, and ensure that West Africa is better equipped to navigate the challenges of an evolving global landscape.
This partnership between ECOWAS and the OECD is poised to not only strengthen economic ties within the region but also establish West Africa as a key player in global development.
