Move To Combat Disinformation In West Africa, Sahel Heightened.
By Ferdinand Olise
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Commission is strengthening its strategic engagement with regional, and global stakeholders to counter the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, as well as harmful, divisive, and anti-democratic narratives across West Africa.
The ECOWAS Commission in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said, ECOWAS is actively participating in the ongoing Regional Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa, and the Sahel which is on-going in Praia, Cabo Verde, from September 3–5, 2025.
The three-day conference brought together policymakers, media professionals, civil society, and international partners, to promote trust and resilience in the region’s information ecosystem.
The engagement is led by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, Mines, Water Resources, Digital Economy, Mr, Sediko Douka, who is representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission,. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
Through its participation in high-level plenary and expert-led breakout sessions, the ECOWAS Commission is showcasing its initiatives and programs designed to mitigate the harmful impact of false and misleading information. The Commission has also provided critical insights and perspectives on key themes which includes moves towards a Harmonized Policy Framework for Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, Artificial Intelligence and Elections in West Africa, The Role of Media, Traditional, and Religious Leaders as catalysts in countering misinformation and disinformation in the region, and, Designing an ECOWAS Regional Observatory on Disinformation, as a coordinated mechanism to monitor and respond to information threats.
