ECOWAS Set to Unveil Game-Changing Business Council in September 2025, As Regional Private Sector Gears Up for Integration Leadership.
By Raymond Enoch
With preparations now at an advanced stage, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is poised to officially launch its highly anticipated ECOWAS Business Council (EBC) in September 2025. The 21-member Council is set to become the apex decision-making body for the regional private sector, with a mandate to drive economic integration, stimulate investment, and reposition West Africa as a global investment destination.
This significant step follows the outcomes of the final steering committee meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG), which convened on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. The one-day session marked a decisive moment in the establishment of the Council, as stakeholders conducted a thorough review of all preparatory documents and evaluated the region’s readiness for the formal launch.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, emphasized the Council’s pivotal role in unlocking private sector potential and deepening regional economic cooperation. Represented by Dr. Tony Luka ELUMELU, Director of Private Sector at ECOWAS, the Commissioner called the meeting “an important milestone in the journey toward full realization of the EBC.”
“The Council, as established by Regulation C/REG.9/6/21 of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, is designed to serve as the private sector’s voice and strategic partner in our regional integration agenda,” Dr. Elumelu stated. He urged members of the TWG to critically evaluate the documents developed by the Commission and contribute constructively to ensure a robust and successful launch.
The Chairman of the TWG, Mr. Gerard Amangou, praised the ECOWAS Program Directorate for its responsiveness and commitment to earlier recommendations, particularly those agreed upon at the prior meeting held on August 5, 2025. He, however, highlighted the importance of confirming the launch timeline with ECOWAS Commission management to solidify planning and logistics.
A major endorsement came from Engr. Dr. Mansur Ahmed of the Dangote Group, a key voice in West Africa’s industrial ecosystem. Dr. Ahmed reaffirmed the group’s dedication to supporting ECOWAS and the Steering Committee, noting that “timely implementation is critical to demonstrating seriousness and fostering investor confidence.”
In attendance were high-level representatives from the Office of the President, Dangote Group, the ECOWAS Permanent Mission to Nigeria, and members of the Technical Working Group. The session allowed stakeholders to align their positions and refine key policy and operational documents ahead of the September launch.
Upon inauguration, the ECOWAS Business Council will become the primary platform for private sector engagement within the Community. It will provide strategic input into policy formulation, drive regional trade promotion, and foster cross-border investments that are vital for sustainable economic development.
As the countdown to September begins, expectations are high across the region. The EBC is anticipated to catalyze a new era of public-private collaboration, enabling West Africa’s business leaders to play a more central role in shaping economic policies and driving regional competitiveness on the global stage.
With this bold initiative, ECOWAS is sending a clear message: the private sector is no longer just a stakeholder—it is a partner in the region’s future.
