Inception and first steering committee meeting marks launch of ECOWAS institutional support project for effective implementation of the AFCFTA

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held the Inception and First Steering Committee Meeting to officially mark the launch of the project titled “Institutional Support to ECOWAS Commission for Effective Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by ECOWAS Vulnerable States” On the 6th of August, 2025.

The project, which targets six beneficiary ECOWAS Member States – The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo – aims to strengthen national and regional institutional capacities for effective and inclusive implementation of the AfCFTA.

The virtual meeting convened key stakeholders, including representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, national governments, UNDP Regional and Country Offices, and AfDB. The platform facilitated discussions on the project’s objectives, outputs, activities, and stakeholder responsibilities, while also providing a forum for feedback, country updates, and collaborative implementation planning.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litsé, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, expressed profound appreciation to the AfDB for its financial support, and to the UNDP for its technical partnership in conceptualizing and executing this important initiative. She emphasized the central role of country-level ownership and participation, calling on national stakeholders to fully commit to the project’s implementation in order to achieve measurable impact.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Mr. Lamin Barrow, Director General of AfDB’s West Africa Regional and Business Delivery Office, Dr. Joseph Rideberio, Deputy Director General at the Bank, reaffirmed AfDB’s steadfast commitment to supporting regional integration. He reiterated the Bank’s dedication to providing both financial and technical assistance to ensure the successful implementation of the AfCFTA in the ECOWAS region and beyond.

In his remarks, Mr. Isiyaka Sabo, Lead for Inclusive Growth and Extractives at UNDP’s Regional Service Centre for Africa, on behalf of Dr. Matthias Naab, Director of the Centre underscored the timeliness of the project amid growing global trade uncertainties. He highlighted that strengthening regional trade systems is key to boosting resilience and sustainable growth across the continent.

Representatives of the beneficiary Member States welcomed the project’s launch, highlighting its strategic importance and alignment with national priorities. They pledged their full commitment to ensuring timely and effective implementation and expressed confidence in the project’s potential to deliver tangible and immediate results.

Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Kolawole Sofola, ECOWAS Director of Trade, reiterated the Commission’s gratitude to AfDB and UNDP for their steadfast support. He highlighted the imperative for West Africa to leverage its natural resource base and transform raw commodities into competitive, value-added products. Mr. Sofola concluded by reaffirming the transformational potential of AfCFTA, describing it as “a game changer for the economic and structural development of the African continent.”

The project’s successful launch signals a significant step forward in advancing inclusive and accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA across West Africa, ensuring that vulnerable ECOWAS Member States are fully equipped to capitalize on the continent’s bold integration agenda.