ECOWAS CONCLUDES 5th TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING ON THE ECOWAS COMMON INVESTMENT MARKET (ECIM).

The ECOWAS Commission successfully convened the 5th Meeting of the Technical Committee of the ECOWAS Common Investment Market (ECIM) Council in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 27 to 30 April 2026. The meeting brought together Directors of Investment from Member States, representatives of Investment Promotion Agencies under the IPAWAS network, and officials of the ECOWAS Commission.

The meeting assessed the implementation of the ECOWAS Common Investment Market (ECIM) across Member States, focusing on reviewing national investment reports, tracking progress on key actions and frameworks, and identifying gaps. Experts examined the 2025 reports, evaluated the establishment of National Coordinating Committees (NCCs), and reviewed progress on the ECOWAS Investment Policy and Code, while agreeing on measures to strengthen regional investment promotion and coordination.

Deliberations highlighted notable progress in improving the regional investment climate, including reforms to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance transparency, and improve investment facilitation mechanisms. Several Member States reported advancements in institutional coordination, digital transformation, and sector-specific investment strategies.

The experts further emphasised the need to accelerate regulatory harmonisation, strengthen institutional coordination, and ensure effective operationalisation of ECIM frameworks to support a more integrated and competitive regional investment market.

In his closing address, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, reaffirmed the central role of investment in driving the region’s transformation. He commended Member States for their commitment to regional integration, called for stronger solidarity and cooperation, and emphasized that the success of the ECOWAS Common Investment Market depends on sustained collective action.