Abuja, 14^th March 2018.The President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Jean-Claude Kassi Brou has called on the United States of America to continue its support of ECOWAS programmes and activities in order to achieve economic integration and peace and security in the region.

He made this request during a reception held by the Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria and to ECOWAS Mr. Stuart Symington for American Ambassadors of West African countries on 13^th March 2018 at his residence in Abuja, Nigeria.

Jean-Claude Kassi Brou in his remarks highlighted peace and security as the foundation upon which economic growth and integration can be achieved. Hence he reiterated the Commissions’ commitment towards helping its Member States deepen their democratic process by citing the success of the just concluded elections in Sierra Leone as an example.

He further stated that, with a population of approximately 350 million people and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $2,000 per capita income, the economy of the region is growing. However he noted that the region still needs to improve on its intra-regional trade which currently stands at 15%.

‘Trade is economic growth, economic growth brings about employment and employment is important for peace and stability in our countries and the region’, he said. In order to improve on intra-regional trade, the President underscored the need for good infrastructure especially in the transport and energy sectors.

On his part, Mr. Stuart Symington commended the ECOWAS Commission for its role in promoting peace, security and economic integration. He stated that ECOWAS’ programmes and activities have not only added value to its Member States but also to the region and Africa at large.

Also in attendance of the reception were some ambassadors of ECOWAS Member States in Nigeria, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission Madam Finda Koroma, the Director of Political Affairs, and the Acting Director for External Relations of this Commission, Dr. Remi Ajibewa and Mr. Jerome Boa.