ECOWAS experts meet to Review and Validate the Organisation’s new IT policies and procedures

From 17 to 21 March 2025, Abidjan, capital of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is hosting an experts meeting, organised by the Directorate of IT Services of the ECOWAS Commission, to examine the new IT policies and procedures.

The main objective of the workshop is to ensure that the new ECOWAS IT policies and procedures are aligned with best practice and meet the evolving requirements of the global operating environment. The ECOWAS IT policy will cover areas such as acceptable use of IT resources, security measures, data management, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and employee responsibilities.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Commissioner in charge of Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ambassador Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Cote d’Ivoire. For Prof. Nazifi A. Darma, this workshop is part of the drive to strengthen the security of ECOWAS information systems, ensure IT compliance, and improve efficiency and service delivery.

‘This meeting also marks an essential step towards bringing ECOWAS procedures into line with the evaluation criteria of the European Union’s pillars, strengthening partnerships and thus promoting programme funding opportunities’ said the ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma.

The workshop is attended by sectoral directors and experts, and IT managers from ECOWAS Institutions and Specialised Agencies. The workshop is expected to include the study and adoption of a manual of IT policies and procedures, as well as an assessment of the draft data protection policy and new standard operating procedures.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders are also expected to reach a consensus on the content, implementation plan and finalisation of the new IT policy, and to identify any remaining gaps or problems and strategies.