Experts Forge Stronger Ways For Deeper Integration In ECOWAS Region.
By Ferdinand Olise
Experts from across the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, region, have converged in Abuja to deliberate further on more harmonious way to enhance integration in the region, and other moves that can positively impact the region and it’s citizenry.
The President of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Dr Omar Touray said ECOWAS institutions have continued to pursue their various mandates for the integration and development of the region.
Dr Touray who stated this in Abuja, June 19, 2025, at the Ninety Fourth Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, said the Ministers of Trade and Industry have considered the Cooperation Agreement between the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, ERCA, and Member States on the implementation of Competition and Consumer Protection Rules within ECOWAS.
Dr Omar Touray, said the ECOWAS institutions have requested Member States to take necessary measures to ensure the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between ERCA and Member States on the implementation of Competition and Consumer Protection Rules within ECOWAS, by the end of June 2025.
He highlighted that the issues of standards and mutual recognition of inspection certificates are critical to both regional trade and industrialisation, noting that, progress has been made regarding the industry Standards Harmonisation Model document, the revised ECOWAS Quality Infrastructure Scheme document, the mutual recognition agreement for inspection certificates, and the fifty-eight ECOWAS standards relating to the textile value chain.
“The ministers also approved the Trade and Investment Promotion Strategy and urged member states to accelerate the ratification of the WTO Fisheries Subsidy Agreement and the AfCFTA.
With regard to our Inter-regional and international trade, the Ministers also reviewed the West Africa – European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (WA-EU EPA), and recommended further national consultation with key stakeholders, in particular the private sector to propose a way forward. On the new US tariff policy, the Ministers discussed the need to develop a regional response”, he said.
On the issue of security and political stability, Dr Touray said they have secured an understanding with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, on the need to work together to build confidence to collectively confront terrorism and violent extremism, stating that they have also converged on the need to sustain the gains made under various ECOWAS protocols relating to economic integration, development programmes and social cohesion.
“On the issue of security and political stability, we have secured an understanding with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on the need to work together to build confidence to collectively confront terrorism and violent extremism. We have also converged on the need to sustain the gains made under various ECOWAS protocols relating to economic integration, development programmes and social cohesion.
“With Guinea, discussions have resumed on political transition, and we are working to create the right environment for the people of Guinea to determine the political future of their country”, he said.
He added that, with Guinea, discussions have resumed on political transition, and that they are working to create the right environment for the people of Guinea to determine the political future of their country.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tugar, said the session represents another significant milestone in the journey towards attaining the objectives of the Regional Economic Community.
“We will consider and reflect on a wide range of reports and proposals. These include critical issues related to economic integration, infrastructure development, health, education, agriculture and manifold institutional matters aimed at strengthening our Community. The Agenda before us is extensive and multifaceted, reflecting the complex realities of our region, as well as the institutional demands of our integration process”, Ambassador Tugar said.
He highlighted the urgent need for critical reflection and decisive action, to defend the core values of ECOWAS and other African Regional Economic Communities, which is essentially the fight against neo-colonialism.
