ECOWAS@50, Cabo Verde Hosts Golden Jubilee with Youth, Unity, and Regional Vision in Focus.

By Raymond Enoch

In a landmark celebration marking its 50th anniversary, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brought together leaders, scholars, and youth in Praia, Cabo Verde, to reflect on five decades of regional integration and chart a bold vision for the future.

Themed “50 Years of ECOWAS: Retrospectives and Perspectives on Cabo Verde’s Subregional Policy,” the golden jubilee was co-hosted by the ECOWAS Representation in Cabo Verde and the University of Cabo Verde (Uni-CV) as part of the III Week of International Relations and Diplomacy.

The event spotlighted Cabo Verde’s strategic role in ECOWAS, highlighting its contributions to economic cooperation, peacebuilding, and regional stability. Dialogue sessions explored the nation’s evolving impact on subregional policy, while also underscoring the critical role of youth in shaping the next era of integration.

A key feature of the celebration was the vibrant involvement of students from across Santiago Island. From cultural showcases and talent displays to academic quizzes and roundtables, youth engagement took center stage, reinforcing ECOWAS’s commitment to building a united and inclusive West Africa.

Dr. Samuel Lamptey, Resident Representative of the ECOWAS President in Cabo Verde, stressed the importance of youth participation in sustaining ECOWAS’s mission. “The future of ECOWAS belongs to our youth,” he noted, pointing to the 2016 ECOWAS Youth Policy Strategic Plan of Action (SPAO), which prioritizes education, employment, health, peace, and governance for the region’s young population.

As ECOWAS turns the page to its next chapter, the golden jubilee in Cabo Verde served as a powerful reminder of the region’s collective journey—and the road ahead. With unity, vision, and youth at the helm, the dream of a prosperous, peaceful, and fully integrated West Africa remains within reach.