ECOWAS ROLLS OUT ONBOARDING PROGRAMME FOR 89 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ON WORK PLACEMENTS AT ITS INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened a three-day onboarding programme for 89 participants under its 2026 Young Professionals Programme at the ECOWAS Training Centre from 28 to 30 April 2026. The initiative forms part of ECOWAS’ broader commitment to strengthening human capital development and nurturing a new generation of professionals equipped to advance regional integration and sustainable development across West Africa. The carefully selected cohort reflects a balance of talent and diversity, comprising 47 men and 42 women, representing close to 50 per cent female participation. In addition, young professionals posted to other ECOWAS Member States actively joined the sessions virtually, ensuring inclusive participation across the region.

Delivering the opening remarks, the Director of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr. Roland KOUAKOU, underscored the strategic importance of the programme in shaping the future leadership of the region. He emphasized that the Young Professionals Programme is not an academic exercise, but a practical, career-oriented platform designed to build capacity, instill discipline, and deepen participants’ understanding of institutional processes. He noted that ECOWAS seeks individuals who demonstrate a strong willingness to learn, adapt to professional standards, and respect established procedures and hierarchical structures within the organization, which are essential for effective service delivery.

Dr. Kouakou further highlighted the rigorous and highly competitive nature of the selection process, noting that only the most qualified and promising candidates were chosen from a large pool of applicants across the region. He encouraged participants to view their selection not only as an achievement but also as a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the vision and objectives of ECOWAS. Reaffirming the institution’s confidence in their potential, he described the cohort as future leaders who will play a critical role in driving innovation, strengthening institutions, and advancing regional cooperation.

The onboarding programme featured a series of comprehensive and interactive sessions led by various ECOWAS Directorates, including Legal Affairs, External Affairs,Human Resources and Communication, among others. These sessions provided participants with in-depth insights into the mandates, structures, and operational frameworks of the institution. The engagements were highly interactive, allowing for meaningful exchanges between participants and senior officials, fostering collaboration, enhancing understanding of ECOWAS processes, and strengthening the readiness of the young professionals to contribute effectively to the organisation’s mission and regional development agenda.