The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have commenced a high-level consultation meeting on the extension of the Regional Integration Strategy Paper for West Africa (2020–2027).
The three-day meeting, which runs from February 4 to 6, 2026, is being held at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja and brings together senior management officials from both institutions.
Discussions are focused on the strategic orientation and continuity of the West Africa Regional Integration Strategy Paper, which expired in December 2025.
Speaking at the opening session, AfDB’s Director-General for West Africa, Mr. Lamin Barrow, stressed the need to extend the strategy paper to ensure the sustainability of ongoing and future regional programmes.
“The extension of this critical regional programming instrument is necessary to sustain and underpin new operations within the framework of the Bank’s partnership with ECOWAS,” Barrow said.
Also speaking, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, commended the African Development Bank for its broad-based support to the sub-regional body.
He noted that AfDB’s interventions span key sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, trade, customs, capacity development, health, education, industry and energy.
The consultation is expected to align regional integration priorities with emerging development challenges and strengthen cooperation between ECOWAS and the AfDB in advancing West Africa’s economic integration agenda.