By: Alex Adu
ECOWAS has appointed renowned African businessman, Aliko Dangote, as the inaugural Chairperson of its newly established ECOWAS Business Council. The council aims to mobilize private sector investment and accelerate economic integration across the region.
This was the announcement by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, at the opening of the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja, Nigeria. This strategic initiative is expected to foster economic growth and development in the West African region.
The ECOWAS Business Council will play a pivotal role in promoting economic integration and development in West Africa. By facilitating dialogue and partnerships between the private sector, governments, and ECOWAS institutions, the council hopes to reduce the region’s reliance on foreign direct investment and promote intra-regional trade.
The appointment of Aliko Dangote as the council’s inaugural chairperson is a significant milestone, expected to galvanize private sector participation in regional development.
This comes as ECOWAS grapples with pressing challenges, including political instability, security concerns, and humanitarian crises, underscoring the need for collective efforts to drive growth and prosperity in the region.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, has outlined the organization’s key priorities, including regional monetary integration, humanitarian response, and the activation of the regional standby force to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
These objectives are to drive economic growth and ensure peace and stability in the region.
Addressing the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Chairperson Timothy Kabba and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, mentioned the need for inclusive governance, intra-regional trade, youth empowerment, and opportunities for the region’s 400 million people, 65% of whom are under 25 years old.
