ECOWAS CONVENES EXPERTS IN PREPARATION FOR THE 20TH MEETING OF MINISTERS IN CHARGE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ICT AND DIGITALISATION IN FREETOWN

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced its 20th Meeting of Ministers in charge of Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and Digitalisation, with an Experts Preparatory Meeting taking place from 23 to 25 March 2026 in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Experts Meeting will be followed by the Ministerial Meeting on 27 March 2026.

The high-level gathering brings together ICT experts, policymakers, regulators, and development partners from ECOWAS Member States to advance regional digital transformation and strengthen cooperation in the telecommunications and digital economy sectors.

The Experts Meeting is tasked with reviewing key policy and regulatory instruments and preparing recommendations for adoption by Ministers. Discussions are centered on critical areas such as data protection, cybersecurity, regional connectivity, e-government, and the development of a harmonized digital market across West Africa. Participants are examining the revised Supplementary Act on the Protection of Personal Data in the ECOWAS region and the revised Directive on fighting cybercrime, alongside a draft Directive governing electronic communications and the proposed Regional e-Government Strategy.

The meeting is also considering the outcomes of feasibility studies for the establishment of a Regional Cybersecurity Coordination Centre and a Regional Internet Exchange Point (IXP), as well as progress made in implementing regional roaming regulations.

Several speeches were delivered at the opening ceremony of the experts meeting, which took place on Monday, March 23, 2026. The first to speak was the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador John Azumah, who emphasized the strategic importance of digital transformation for regional integration. For him “Digitalisation is no longer optional; it is the backbone of inclusive growth and regional integration. This meeting represents a decisive step toward building a resilient and secure digital ecosystem for all ECOWAS citizens.”

“In a rapidly evolving global context, our collective commitment stands as a key driver to boost economic growth and promote sustainable development in the region. This dynamic is fully aligned with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which aims to foster peace, prosperity, and inclusive societal transformation. In line with the Vision 2063 of the African Union and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, our approach reflects a shared determination to build a resilient and equitable future for all. It highlights the importance of an inclusive digital landscape capable of addressing current challenges while unlocking new opportunities for future generations.” added H.E. John Azumah.

Ms. Folake Olagunju, ECOWAS Commission’s Director of Digital Economy and Post underscored the importance of harmonized policies: “Today, we are not simply reviewing documents – we are shaping the foundations of West Africa’s digital future. Each agenda item is a building block: important individually, but transformative when taken together. As we prepare the region for the next decade of digital progress, our task is to refine the draft instruments that will be presented to the Honourable Ministers. These documents are essential to ensuring that ECOWAS remains competitive, secure, and inclusive in the digital age.”

Ms. OLAGUNJU reiterated the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission to advancing digital transformation tailored to the region’s needs and deeply appreciated the support of partners, including the German Federal Foreign Office, European Union, the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) and the World Bank.

Mr. Stevenson KAKPAETE KAMANDA, Permanent Secretary of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, in his opening remarks, highlighted the host country’s commitment to digital advancement: “Sierra Leone is honoured to host this important meeting. We are committed to fostering innovation, expanding digital access, and supporting regional efforts that ensure no one is left behind in the digital economy.”

“As emphasized in our shared regional agenda, digital technologies are reshaping governance, commerce, education, healthcare, and financial services, enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and promoting stronger regional integration. “ said Mr. Stevenson KAKPAETE KAMANDA.

Development partners also reaffirmed their support for ECOWAS digital initiatives. Ms. Nina Siegert, GIZ Head of Project, on behalf of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sierra Leone, reaffirmed the commitment of the German Government to supporting ECOWAS in building durable, secure, inclusive, and interoperable digital systems that empower citizens and drive economic growth.”

Ms. Nina SIEGERT mentioned that the German Government, alongside other EU Member States such as Finland, Belgium, France, and Estonia, supported the process for the revision of Supplementary Act on Data Protection through the Data Governance in Africa Initiative, aims to advance the implementation of the African Union Data Policy Framework. This collaboration embodies a shared Africa-Europe vision of fostering trusted, inclusive, and sovereign digital ecosystems that enable countries to leverage data effectively while protecting citizens’ rights.

The Experts Meeting will conclude with the validation and adoption of its report, which will inform deliberations at the Ministerial Meeting. Ministers are expected to review and adopt key policy instruments and strategic initiatives that will further accelerate the development of a unified digital economy in the ECOWAS region.

The outcomes of the Ministerial Meeting will subsequently be submitted to the appropriate ECOWAS statutory bodies for formal adoption.