ECOWAS Hosts Key Consultative Meeting with West African Chambers of Commerce to Boost Regional Integration
By Raymond Enoch
The ECOWAS Directorate of Private Sector, under the leadership of Honourable Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, hosted a critical consultative meeting with the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The event brought together key players in the private sector to discuss how regional integration and competitiveness can be strengthened across West Africa.
Dr. Tony Luka ELUMELU, Director of the ECOWAS Private Sector Directorate, emphasized the importance of harmonizing regulatory frameworks and fostering cross-cutting programs among member states. He noted that such efforts were vital in ensuring that the region remains competitive on the global stage and continues to attract foreign direct investment.
The gathering, attended by Mr. Aminou Akadiri from the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, provided an opportunity for enhanced collaboration. Akadiri reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to supporting private sector interests by unlocking opportunities for infrastructure development, job creation, and regional business growth.
Discussions focused on ways to boost intra-African trade, create favorable investment conditions, and promote youth and women-led initiatives. The Federation also underscored the importance of aligning its agenda with ECOWAS’s 4×4 Strategic Objectives for economic integration, which include improving business competitiveness and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
As regional integration continues to take center stage, the consultative meeting proved to be a vital step in strengthening the private sector’s role in driving economic development in West Africa. Both ECOWAS and the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry pledged to continue working together to advance the region’s economic objectives, contributing to a more unified and prosperous West Africa.
