ECOWAS GUIDING FRAMEWORK ON REGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE GEOLOGY SECTOR

The Energy & Mines Directorate is holding a National Experts Meeting to review the ECOWAS Guiding Framework for Regional Cooperation in the Geology Sector, in Lagos, Nigeria from 13-17 April 2026. The meeting brings together senior officers from ECOWAS Members States’ Ministries in-charge of Geology Sector, and staff of the Commission.

The objective of this Draft Community Text is to promote sustainable development of geological resources in West Africa. It is intended to provide a structured framework to guide regional activities for cooperation in the Geology Sector. Its envisaged scope is all geology-related activities in the region.

ECOWAS Member States shall deepen bilateral, multilateral, and regional cooperation between or among Geological Survey Agencies and/or Departments in the Community for technical exchanges in institutional experiences and geoscience information/expertise, training of geoscientists and other human capacity enhancement activities. ECOWAS Member States shall further endeavour to manage and preserve acquired geological data for future usage and reference.

Therefore, the Key Areas currently identified for such Regional Cooperation are to, as envisaged, improve geological information and its related-infrastructure in the region, enhance capacity of Geological Surveys/Agencies/Departments, and develop Regional and International Geology-related Institutional Networks, amongst others.