ECOWAS NCIs Hold Annual Meeting,Review Regional Digital Development, others By Raymond Enoch
The representative of the ECOWAS Member States in a decisive move to bolster West Africa’s digital evolution, led by the ECOWAS Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation kicked off its Annual Meeting of National Correspondents for Indicators (NCIs) in Abuja, Nigeria on 19th May 2025.
The high-level three-day gathering, held under the auspices of the ECOWAS Digital Observatory, convenes national data correspondents from across the 15-member regional bloc. Their mission is to refine, review, and validate key national digital indicators critical to tracking and steering the region’s progress in digital transformation.
With digitalisation increasingly recognized as the backbone of economic growth, innovation, and regional integration, the Abuja meeting stands as a vital checkpoint. Participants are reviewing datasets from member states to ensure their accuracy, coherence, and alignment with ECOWAS-wide digital goals.
“This annual convergence is more than just a technical review—it is the pulse-check of West Africa’s digital health,” said an ECOWAS official at the opening session. “By ensuring data credibility, we are empowering evidence-based policy decisions that will shape the digital destiny of our region.”
The meeting will also serve as a platform to address persistent challenges in digital infrastructure, access, and innovation, providing a unified approach toward closing digital divides across member states.
The ECOWAS Digital Observatory serves as a regional data hub for monitoring and evaluating progress in digital development, including internet penetration, ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity readiness, and digital governance.
As digital realities reshape economies and societies, ECOWAS is betting on accurate data and regional collaboration as its best tools to lead West Africa into the digital age—securely, inclusively, and competitively.
