Côte d’Ivoire is hosting a key regional consultation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), providing a platform for strategic discussions on the organisation’s future.
Scheduled from 2 to 6 March 2026, the consultation will contribute to the upcoming Special Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will define ECOWAS’ long-term direction.
Alongside this event, the ECOWAS Commission’s Research and Statistics Directorate is conducting five technical workshops in Abidjan from 2 to 13 March 2026.
These workshops are part of ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the World Bank-funded Harmonisation and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa Project (PHASAOC). They aim to modernise national statistical systems, harmonise methodologies, and improve data quality across Member States.
The launch on 2 March 2026 set the stage for two weeks of expert-led sessions focused on innovation, cooperation, and statistical excellence. The ceremony was presided over by H.E. Adama Dosso, Deputy Minister in charge of African Integration and Ivorians Abroad. Also present were Dr Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture; Prof. KOUAKOU Kouadio Clément, representing Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development; H.E. Fathmah Diarre-Diop, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire; Prof. Félix N’Zué, ECOWAS Director of Research and Statistics; and other experts from the region.
Minister Dosso highlighted the value of accurate, harmonised statistics in guiding effective national planning and policy-making. He stressed that high-quality data is essential for Africa’s economic transformation and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Commissioner Sylla reaffirmed ECOWAS’ dedication to modernising statistical systems, promoting regional methodological alignment, leveraging innovative data sources, and strengthening cooperation among Member States to build a resilient, integrated statistical network.
AP