Maryam Aminu
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the European Union (EU), Germany, and Spain, has launched four major initiatives worth €110 million to strengthen peace, security, economic integration, and institutional development across the West African region.
The high-level launch event, held yesterday at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, brought together over 80 senior officials, ambassadors, and development partners from West Africa and Europe. The initiatives are being jointly implemented by international development agencies, including GIZ, UNIDO, ITC, AECID, Expertise France, and Fundación FIAP.
Speaking at the event, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said the projects are aimed at driving not just peace and security, but also boosting trade, governance, institutional frameworks, and cooperation with partner countries.
He reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to ensuring the initiatives deliver tangible impact across the region.
“These projects are expected to contribute significantly to the region’s development by supporting trade within the community and strengthening ECOWAS’ strategic orientations,” Touray said.
“The budget of these projects is €110 million, coming from the EU, Germany and Spain. We are grateful for the continued and multifaceted support towards these four projects, because the objectives pursued are vital to ECOWAS and its Member States.”
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, underscored the EU’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated West Africa.
According to him, the initiatives reflect a deepened partnership with ECOWAS, focused on governance, institutional capacity, regional trade, and people-centered development.
Speaking also, the German Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Annett Günther, emphasized that the launch marked more than the start of new projects.
“It reflects our shared commitment to trade, peace and security, and good governance in West Africa,” she said, highlighting that the projects support ECOWAS’ Vision 2050, which aims to build a citizen-centered community for peace and prosperity.
Günther noted the strategic importance of the programmes, adding “Trade and services are a key driver of employment and innovation and a powerful lever for economic transformation. In addition, countries that trade with each other are less likely to experience war or internal conflicts.”
Speaking further, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, Mrs. María Higón Velasco, praised ECOWAS for its leadership in regional cooperation and reiterated Spain’s support through AECID’s ongoing partnership with the Commission.
She stated that the initiatives would help deepen coordination with member states and development partners, in line with the ECOWAS-AECID Work Programme 2025–2028.
Top representatives from implementing agencies also reiterated their commitment to delivering sustainable outcomes for West Africa.
UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller, described the projects as vital to building fair supply chains and green economies.
ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, said the programmes would unlock market access and enhance small business competitiveness, while GIZ Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Markus Wagner, affirmed that supporting ECOWAS means unlocking the region’s potential through inclusive and lasting progress.
Held alongside ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebrations, the launch drew wide participation from African Union officials, EU member states, ambassadors, UN leaders, and civil society stakeholders, reflecting strong regional ownership and global cooperation.
Africa Security Investigation News 