Industry
West Africa's industrial fabric and industrial performance, as well as the degree of processing of the vast mineral wealth and other abundant local raw materials, have remained low. The region's industrial sector is not sufficiently diversified to produce a wide variety of intermediate and finished products. No country in the region has been able to acquire a robust industrial base, notwithstanding the thorough reforms implemented during the 90s (establishment of single investment windows; launch or accelerated privatization programmes; decision to make the private sector the engine of growth and sustainable economic development etc.).
Within the ECOWAS region, industrial development is central to the objective of fostering an integrated, competitive, and resilient regional economy. Through regional policies, strategies, and programmes, ECOWAS works with Member States and development partners to promote industrialisation, enhance manufacturing capacity, encourage innovation, and improve the business environment for industrial enterprises.
ECOWAS supports the development of priority industries by promoting investment, facilitating regional value chains, strengthening industrial standards and quality infrastructure, and encouraging the adoption of sustainable and environmentally responsible production practices. The Commission also works to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), support industrial entrepreneurship, and facilitate access to regional and international markets.
The ambitious initiatives carried out by ECOWAS are followed by the West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP). Through the institutions established at the national and regional levels, Member States, Civil Society, and the Private Sector are largely linked to the reforms because they are crucial to the integration process. The 2020 Vision of a "ECOWAS of people" serves as the foundation for the process, with the goal of lifting the region out of poverty and elevating all of its members to the status of respectable citizens by 2020.
The strategy WACIP, has the objective to "maintain a solid industrial structure which is globally competitive, environment-friendly and capable of significantly improving the living standards of the people by 2030." It is organised into ten (10) cohesive programs that are focused on particular major goals, such as expanding and diversifying the industrial production base, raising the industrial sector's GDP contribution from an average of 6-7% to 20% by 2030, significantly boosting intra-community trade from 12% to 40% in 2030, and increasing the region's exports of manufactured goods to the global market from 0.1% to 1% in 2030.
The West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP) is based on a global vision to benefit from the comparative advantages of the Member States and their complementarities. Considering the imperatives of globalization and the important role industry plays in development, the ECOWAS Member States have reiterated their will to make industrialization the medium of development and have jointly undertaken to work in partnership with the private sector for the effective and efficient implementation of the West African Common Industrial Policy.
Events
7th Regional Trade Facilitation Committee
THE ECOWAS REGIONAL TRADE FACILITATION MEETS TO EXAMINE THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE FACILITATION REFORMS AND ACCELRATE THE ELIMINATION OF NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
The ECOWAS Commission organized the 7th Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Trade Facilitation Committee (RTFC) in Banjul, The Gambia from 15th to 17th June 2026. The objective of the meeting was to strengthen regional coordination and advance the implementation of trade facilitation reforms in ECOWAS by enhancing border management, addressing non-tariff barriers, and promoting digitalization of cross-border trade.
In his remarks on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment of the Gambia, Mr Lamin CAMARA, Permanent Secretary, welcomed delegates to the 7th Meeting of the RTFC in Banjul and expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission for selecting The Gambia to host the Meeting. He underscored that trade facilitation remains central to the ECOWAS integration agenda and highlighted the importance of reducing the cost and time associated with cross-border trade.
ECOWAS resident and permanent representatives review their achievements and outlook for the ECOWAS commission's 2022–2026 mandate
ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives, together with members of the Cabinet of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, are meeting in Lomé, Togo, from 9 to 13 March 2026 for a strategic retreat to review achievements and discuss future perspectives regarding their contributions to the implementation of the Commission’s 2022–2026 mandate.The retreat, which also brings together several outgoing representatives, provides an opportunity for dialogue and the exchange of experience between former and newly appointed ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representatives serving across Member States.
As the primary interface between the ECOWAS Commission and Member States, ECOWAS Resident and Permanent Representations serve as key diplomatic, political and coordination mechanisms tasked with advancing the regional integration agenda. Recent political and institutional crises in some countries have nevertheless highlighted a number of constraints affecting the effectiveness of these representations. Key challenges include coordination difficulties, institutional ambiguities, limited communication and decision-making channels, and insufficient participation in early warning and crisis management mechanisms.
With the current mandate of the ECOWAS Commission set to conclude in July 2026, the retreat offers a strategic opportunity to review the achievements of the Resident and Permanent Representations since 2022, particularly in relation to the “4×4” strategic objectives covering peace, security, integration, governance and sustainable development, in line with the Community’s Vision 2050.
The retreat therefore serves as a platform for assessment, learning and strategic repositioning. Participants will conduct a comprehensive review of achievements, challenges and lessons learned from recent crises, while formulating recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and positioning of ECOWAS representations under the forthcoming mandate of the Commission. The discussions will also contribute to shaping inputs towards the Summit of the Future.
In her welcome remarks, H.E. Ms Dewey Emily Gray, ECOWAS Resident Representative in the Republic of Togo, emphasised the significance of convening the retreat at this particular moment for the Community. “Just a few months before the completion of the mandate of the current leadership of the Commission, this meeting provides a valuable opportunity to pause, collectively assess the progress made since 2022, and reflect on the perspectives that will further strengthen the effectiveness of our representations,” she stated.
Officially opening the retreat on behalf of H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Chief of Staff, Mr Abdou Kolley, underscored the central role played by the Resident and Permanent Representations since the beginning of the Commission’s current mandate. “You are the voice, the presence and the operational instrument through which ECOWAS engages on the ground to sustain partnerships, promote its regional priorities and strengthen the essential dialogue between the Commission and its Member States,” he noted. “This retreat therefore holds particular importance. It is not merely an evaluation exercise, but a strategic moment for recalibration,” Mr Abdou KOLLEY reminded the participants.
Operating under ECOWAS mandates (A/DEC.9/03/14, A/DEC.12/01/03 and C/REG.25/12/13), the representations support the Commission through coordination, advocacy, monitoring, awareness-raising and diplomatic engagement. In 2025, their efforts intensified through dialogue and visibility initiatives that supported the Golden Jubilee celebrations of ECOWAS, thereby reinforcing the Community’s institutional presence across Member States.
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ECOWAS pays tribute to women's contribution on international women's day 2026
ECOWAS PAYS TRIBUTE TO WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2026
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has joined the international community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026, paying tribute to the strength, resilience and invaluable contributions of women to the advancement of peace, unity and development across West Africa.
The ECOWAS leadership commended women across the region for their vital role in building stronger societies and advancing the vision of a united and prosperous West Africa. The statement emphasized that women remain central to the region’s social, economic and political transformation.
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, I wish to celebrate the strength, resilience and vital role of women in building a united and prosperous ECOWAS. Your daily contributions continue to inspire West Africa,” the message stated.
The statement further highlighted that women’s leadership, innovation and dedication continue to drive progress in communities, institutions and economies throughout ECOWAS Member States. It also acknowledged the critical role women play in promoting peace, strengthening democratic governance and fostering inclusive development.
ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls across the region through policies, programmes and partnerships aimed at promoting equal opportunities and participation in all sectors of society.
The organization called on governments, civil society organizations, development partners and citizens across the region to intensify efforts to remove barriers that hinder women’s full participation in economic and political life.
“As we commemorate this important day, let us collectively advance towards a future marked by equality, peace and inclusive development for all,” the message concluded.
Happy International Women’s Day.
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