ECOWAS Fair and Youth Activities Celebrate West African Culture and Mark the Organization’s 50th Anniversary

Assomada, Municipality of Santa Catarina – On 21 November, the city of Assomada hosted the ECOWAS Fair, an initiative promoted by the ECOWAS Representation in Cabo Verde, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, the Municipality of Santa Catarina, and the Cabo Verdean Association for the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence (ACLCVBG). The event formed part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), commemorating five decades of solidarity, cooperation, and regional integration.

Held along Assomada’s Pedestrian Street, the Fair aimed to bring the local population closer to the culture, cuisine, and traditions of West Africa, reinforcing ECOWAS’ mission to unite the peoples of the region and promote a more cohesive and prosperous community. The initiative fostered dynamic cultural exchange, encouraging mutual understanding and the spirit of solidarity that has guided ECOWAS since its establishment in 1975. During the Fair, visitors explored cultural and gastronomic exhibitions, enjoyed traditional West African dishes, and attended cultural performances from Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone.

One of the most notable moments of the event was the “Get to Know ECOWAS” activity, which has become a true tradition in Cabo Verde. The initiative brought together dynamic presentations and interactive activities for secondary-school students, immersing them in the world of ECOWAS and challenging them to test their knowledge of the sub-region. This special component of the programme included the active participation of teachers, as well as the engagement of various schools and students from different grade levels, creating a vibrant atmosphere of learning and exchange.

During the closing remarks, representatives of the Platform of African Communities, the Municipality of Santa Catarina, and ECOWAS highlighted the importance of regional integration, cultural exchange, and the building of a more prosperous and united community.

Cabo Verde continues to play a strategic role within ECOWAS, hosting regional institutions such as the ECOWAS Representation, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (MMCC), and the ECOWAS Office within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration. This institutional presence reinforces the partnership between the country and ECOWAS, and their shared commitment to sustainable development, regional security, and the integration of the peoples of West Africa.