ECOWAS Gender Centre Holds Retreat, Adopts a New Budget Framework for 2026-2028.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move to sharpen its fiscal planning and strengthen gender-focused development across West Africa, the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) held a strategic staff retreat from August 26 to 29, 2025, at the Palm Beach Hotel in Saly, Republic of Senegal.
The Retreat that was led by the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, was a four-day gathering that saw a significant shift in the Centre’s approach to budget formulation and operational planning.
At the core of the retreat was an intensive training on the newly introduced Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) — a budgeting tool designed to improve fiscal discipline, transparency, and long-term strategic alignment. The MTEF template, now adopted across ECOWAS institutions, guides budget planning over a three-year horizon and ensures that financial allocations are directly tied to program outcomes.
Participants engaged in practical sessions aimed at adapting EGDC’s budget documentation to the new format, while simultaneously drafting the Centre’s 2026–2028 budget. The exercise enabled staff to integrate performance-based budgeting principles and align future programs with regional gender development priorities.
Beyond financial planning, the retreat provided a forum for critical programmatic reflection. The team finalized the Centre’s third quarter 2025 performance report and validated its fourth quarter work plan, identifying both persistent gaps and emerging opportunities in advancing gender equity across member states.
According to officials, the retreat reinforced EGDC’s commitment to institutional accountability, improved service delivery, and gender-responsive governance. With new skills and a renewed strategic outlook, the Centre is poised to implement a more results-oriented agenda in the years ahead.
As the EGDC returns to its Abuja headquarters to finalize the 2026–2028 budget for submission to the ECOWAS Commission, stakeholders anticipate a stronger, more transparent framework to guide the Centre’s mission. The outcomes of the retreat signal a pivotal moment for the EGDC—one defined by strategic planning, financial reform, and a deepened resolve to accelerate gender equality across the region.
