ECOWAS spearheads West Africa regional peace, security and economic integration efforts, launches 4 projects with over €105 million support from European Union, Germany, and Spain

The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU), Germany, and Spain, in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Expertise France, the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID), the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP),  the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) today launched four initiatives worth over €105 million, aimed at strengthening trade competitiveness and market access, improving peace and security;  institutional capacity ; and enhancing trade in services in the ECOWAS region.

The initiatives, co-funded by the EU, Germany, and Spain were launched at a high-level event at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, bringing together over 80 senior officials and partners from across West Africa and Europe.

The German Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Annett Günther emphasized that, ‘over the past 20 years, Germany has continuously supported ECOWAS and its member states in this process as we believe that regional integration promotes economic development, political stability, inclusive societies and environmental protection. […] The projects launched today are a testament to the strong and coordinated German and European partnership with ECOWAS.’

The Deputy Head of Mission at the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, Mrs. María Higón Velasco, stated: ‘The ECOWAS Commission plays a pivotal role in ensuring regional cooperation, promoting integration in West Africa, and maintaining peace and security. The projects presented today support the organization’s ability to conduct transparent dialogue and coordination with member states, development partners, and civil society organizations in the region, thereby facilitating the achievement of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 goals. This is a strategic element of the alliance of AECID and ECOWAS since 2008 and of the ECOWAS-AECID Work Programme 2025-2028. Fundación FIAP has recently joined this effort providing expertise in the mobilization of the Spanish public sector knowledge.’

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot stated that, ‘these initiatives – complementary in their objectives, reflect the European Union’s steadfast commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated West Africa. By deepening our partnership with ECOWAS through support for governance, institutional capacity, and regional trade, we are investing in the region’s stability, economic resilience, and the empowerment of its people.’

Speaking at the launch, The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said: ‘May I use this occasion to congratulate the partners – the EU, Germany, and Spain, for their contribution, and the agencies selected – namely GIZ, AECID, UNIDO, ITC, Expertise France and FIAP for their support in implementing these four initiatives. Let us focus on delivery and concrete results on the ground […] I look forward to a more fruitful and successful future for West Africa.’