ECOWAS welcomes 98 young professionals in landmark induction ceremony

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially inducted 98 young professionals from 12 Member States into its Young Professionals Programme (YPP). The two-day induction ceremony, held from May 20^th to 21^st at the ECOWAS Training Centre in Abuja, underscores the Commission’s strategic investment in youth as catalysts for regional integration and development.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, Dr. Roland Kouakou, Acting Director of Education, Science and Culture, represented H.E. Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs. In his keynote address, Dr. Kouakou emphasized the significance of the initiative and commended the visionary leadership of H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, for his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment in West Africa.

“I invite you to make the most of this Internship —seize every opportunity to learn, share, innovate, and excel,” Dr. Kouakou urged the new participants. “This programme is a unique opportunity to assert your leadership, build strong networks, and lay the foundation for a lasting professional contribution to the development of our region.”

He further reminded them: “You are the builders of tomorrow. By opening its doors to you, ECOWAS is also entrusting you with a mission—to actively contribute to shaping the future of our community. You are now ambassadors of West African integration.”

The YPP is a flagship ECOWAS initiative designed to attract dynamic, motivated talent from across the region. It aims to infuse the Commission with fresh perspectives and innovative skills, while building a sustainable pipeline of professionals dedicated to regional cooperation and advancement.

Over the course of the induction, participants engaged with key directorates of the Commission, gaining insights into ECOWAS’s institutional structure, strategic priorities, and integration agenda. The interactive sessions fostered networking, initiative, and dialogue, equipping the young professionals for their roles in shaping West Africa’s future.

Through this programme, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to empowering youth as agents of peace, integration, and sustainable development—central to its 2050 vision of transitioning from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples.”