ECOWAS, Oxfam Seal Pact to Tackle Inequality and Promote Well-being of W/African States.
By Raymond Enoch
In a powerful show of solidarity for the people of West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Oxfam have moved to deepen their partnership, with a strong focus on addressing inequality, human rights, and promoting peace and prosperity across West African region. This commitment was the highlight of a high-level meeting held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in Abuja, between the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and the Regional Director of Oxfam Nigeria, Mr. John Makina.
During the meeting, Dr. Touray praised Oxfam for its enduring commitment to social justice and the well-being of West African populations, describing the organization as a vital partner in the region’s ongoing struggle against poverty, inequality, and threats to democratic governance. He acknowledged Oxfam’s advocacy efforts as aligned with the vision of ECOWAS to create a unified, equitable, and peaceful West Africa.
Mr. Makina, in turn, lauded ECOWAS for its consistent role in promoting regional integration and safeguarding democratic values. He disclosed that both institutions are in the final stages of concluding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will formally outline areas of cooperation between them. The MoU, once signed, will serve as a strategic framework addressing a range of pressing regional issues including shrinking civic space, persistent poverty gaps, threats to democracy and human rights, peace and conflict prevention, trade development, gender justice, and climate justice.
Both leaders expressed mutual interest in tackling the structural barriers that continue to hinder the region’s development and stability. Mr. Makina emphasized that Oxfam’s presence in West Africa is not just about delivering aid, but about empowering communities, promoting equity, and strengthening democratic participation from the ground up.
Present at the meeting were key members of the ECOWAS Commission, including Mr. Abdou Kolley, Chief of Staff to the President; Mr. Habibu Yaya Bappah, Executive Assistant; and Mr. Michel Saraka Kouamé, Head of Division for Strategic Planning, Programming, and Coordination. Their presence underscored the institutional importance attached to the developing partnership.
As West Africa faces mounting challenges — from climate change and insecurity to economic disparity and political unrest — this emerging alliance between ECOWAS and Oxfam is being hailed as a timely and necessary move. The collaboration is expected to not only strengthen policy frameworks across the region but also deliver direct impacts on the lives of ordinary citizens through inclusive and rights-based development initiatives.
With the MoU expected to be signed in the coming weeks, both institutions have signaled a new era of cooperation that could help reshape the socio-political landscape of the region. For millions across West Africa, this partnership could be a turning point — from rhetoric to action, and from promise to progress.
