ECOWAS Reactivates Regional Social Security Committee to Strengthen Protection of Migrant Workers.
By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step toward strengthening social protection systems for migrant workers across West Africa with the formal reactivation of the Committee of Experts on Social Security (CESS). The milestone decision followed an intensive four-day meeting held from 4–7 November 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO).
The revived committee is expected to play a critical role in accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS General Convention on Social Security—an instrument designed to ensure that millions of migrant workers and their families enjoy accessible, transferable, and fair social protection benefits across member states.
Officials described the Lagos workshop as highly productive, yielding concrete results that will shape regional action on cross-border social protection. Delegates validated the ECOWAS Social Protection Policy Brief, agreed on the establishment of new technical working groups, and reviewed key thematic documents that will guide continuous implementation by CESS.
According to organisers, the reactivation of the committee also enhanced the capacity of institutions and ECOWAS Directorates responsible for advancing social security reforms, ensuring that member states are better equipped to harmonise policies and extend coverage to vulnerable workers on the move.
With labour mobility central to the regional integration agenda, the strengthened CESS signals a renewed ECOWAS commitment to safeguarding migrant workers’ rights, reducing inequalities, and promoting inclusive development across West Africa.
