ECOWAS, Nigeria Deepen Economic Ties Ahead of ECOMOTI 2025.
By Raymond Enoch
In a renewed push to deepen regional economic integration, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are strengthening their collaboration in the fields of industry, trade, and investment.
This was highlighted during a courtesy visit by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Touré-Litse, to Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
The high-level engagement comes ahead of the fourth Joint Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI), scheduled for May 2025, where Nigeria will assume the rotating presidency.
Commissioner Touré-Litse congratulated Minister Oduwole on her recent appointment and reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria, which she described as a “strategic partner for the region’s economic development.”
Their discussions centered on Nigeria’s leadership role in the upcoming ECOMOTI meeting, as well as the importance of aligning ECOWAS Member States’ positions ahead of critical global and continental trade forums, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) summit and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations.
In a significant announcement, the Commissioner revealed that as part of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebrations, a Conference on Trade, Investment and Economic Diversification will be hosted in Lagos. Minister Oduwole welcomed the initiative and emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to participate actively, requesting timely updates to ensure full involvement from her ministry.
This partnership signals a robust commitment to regional unity and economic advancement as West Africa prepares for pivotal trade discussions on the global stage.
