ECOWAS LAUNCHES EGDC DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM TO TRANSFORM GENDER GOVERNANCE IN WEST AFRICA.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move to modernize gender governance across West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched the EGDC Digital Ecosystem in Saly-Portudal, Senegal, on 24 November 2025.
Unveiled under the leadership of ECOWAS Commissioner Prof. Fatou SOW SARR, the new digital ecosystem is designed as a powerful, integrated platform to drive evidence-based gender policies and sharpen regional coordination.
At its core, the EGDC Digital Ecosystem brings together a suite of strategic tools: a modern website, a gender observatory, a virtual workspace, an AI system, and a security command center. Together, they form a comprehensive digital architecture aimed at transforming how gender-related data, initiatives, and policies are conceived, tracked, and implemented in the ECOWAS region.
Commissioner Prof. Fatou SOW SARR highlighted the launch as a turning point in regional gender governance, noting that the platform will significantly enhance the visibility of actions carried out by the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CCDG) and its partners. She emphasized that the ecosystem is designed not only to showcase achievements but also to support faster and more informed decision-making at the highest policy levels.
The key objectives driving the Saly-Portudal launch were clear and focused: to operationalize an ecosystem capable of real-time data collection and analysis, strengthen coordination among member states, and provide a reliable, centralized knowledge base on gender issues in West Africa.
Through the gender observatory, ECOWAS will be able to document trends, measure progress, and highlight gaps in gender equality and women’s empowerment across the region. The virtual workspace is expected to serve as a collaborative hub for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, enabling secure exchanges, joint planning, and continuous monitoring of programmes.
The integration of an AI system and a security command center adds a cutting-edge dimension to the architecture. These tools will support predictive analysis, early warning, and rapid response in contexts where gender intersects with security, social stability, and human development challenges.
By consolidating gender information, enhancing the visibility of regional initiatives, and creating a real-time decision-support environment, the EGDC Digital Ecosystem positions ECOWAS at the forefront of digital innovation for social governance in Africa.
With its launch in Saly-Portudal, the ecosystem now stands as a flagship instrument for mapping CCDG achievements, guiding strategic action, and reinforcing ECOWAS’ long-term commitment to inclusive, data-driven, and accountable gender governance in West Africa.
