Information Integrity: ECOWAS Deepens Engagement to Combat Disinformation at Praia Conference.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move to safeguard democracy and promote social cohesion in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has charted an ambitious step to confront the escalating threat of mis- and disinformation. The regional institutions is leveraging the ongoing Regional Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, hosted in Praia, Cabo Verde, to unveil and strengthen its collaborative efforts against digital falsehoods and divisive narratives.
Representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, Mines, Water Resources, and Digital Economy, Mr. Sediko Douka, is leading the ECOWAS delegation at the three-day high-level conference, which runs from September 3 to 5, 2025. The gathering convenes policymakers, media professionals, civil society actors, and international partners with a shared mission: restoring trust and resilience in the region’s increasingly fragile information ecosystem.
With elections, social stability, and regional unity at stake, ECOWAS officials stressed the urgency of countering harmful online content that fuels polarization, undermines democratic institutions, and incites conflict. Commissioner Douka emphasized the Commission’s determination to build a more coordinated, technology-savvy response to this cross-border challenge. “Our presence here is a clear signal that ECOWAS is not only alert to the dangers of disinformation but is actively working with partners to develop robust frameworks, tools, and institutions to combat it,” said Douka during a plenary session. “Information integrity is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity for the survival of our democracies.”
ECOWAS used the platform to present its expanding portfolio of initiatives, with particular focus on four key pillars: advocating for a harmonized regional policy framework; exploring the complex role of artificial intelligence in electoral processes; empowering traditional and religious leaders to act as catalysts for truth in communities; and establishing a Regional Observatory on Disinformation to monitor, analyze, and respond to evolving threats in real time.
The backdrop of Praia — a coastal capital grappling with the same digital vulnerabilities as its landlocked neighbors — served as a poignant reminder that the mis/disinformation crisis knows no borders. Conference discussions reflected a shared regional understanding that information warfare, if left unchecked, could exacerbate insecurity in an already fragile Sahel region. In breakout sessions and bilateral meetings, ECOWAS engaged with a wide array of stakeholders to explore scalable solutions, from AI-powered fact-checking tools to cross-border digital literacy campaigns.
With political transitions, contested elections, and growing extremism on the horizon in several member states, ECOWAS’s proactive stance is both timely and critical. By fostering multi-sectoral partnerships and advocating for harmonized policies, the regional bloc is positioning itself as a central force in fortifying West Africa’s digital future. As the Praia conference enters its final day, one thing is clear: ECOWAS is no longer playing catch-up. It is taking the offensive in the battle for truth, trust, and information integrity across West Africa and the Sahel.
