Germany is supporting the Economic Community of West African States with a € 81 million grant to help address insecurity, infrastructure deficit, and climate change in the region
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, disclosed this at a press conference when he received the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz, in Abuja.
Dr. Touray noted that the total grant support from Germany to the region amounted to € 500 million in the last 10 years.
He said, “Recently, we concluded an agreement to the tune of €81million that the government of Germany and the people of Germany have decided to grant ECOWAS to support in various areas.
“The grant will cover areas such as peaceful and inclusive society, climate and energy transition, sustainable and economic development, health, social protection, and population. These are important sectors and we appreciate Germany for their support.
“The recent agreement has brought Germany’s support over a decade close to €500 million.”
The commission’s president however identified insecurity and infrastructure deficit bedeviling the region, adding that ECOWAS with the support of Germany is ready to address the challenges.
Touray said “Your Excellency during our discussion, we talked about the challenges that this region is facing such as insecurity, and infrastructure deficit. We have agreed to continue working together.
“Our regions are closely linked. What happens in one area affects the other and then we appreciate what Germany is doing individually and through the European Union for supporting this region.
“We are appreciative of the partnership that the region continues to enjoy with Germany and the EU, particularly in the area of peace and security, and strong governance.”
Dr. Touray said there is a plan to link electricity power production through West Africa from a centre in Cotonou in the Republic of Benin.
He said the project would allow West African countries to get electricity from a cheaper source, adding that it would translate to cheaper electricity within the bloc.
“These are important sectors and we appreciate the support that Germany has given to us in these areas.
The ECOWAS President said they discussed the challenges that the region is facing, including insecurity, infrastructure deficit and social development.
The German Chancellor Scholz, who is on a two-day visit to Nigeria, was received at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja by Dr. Touray and the Vice President of the commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja.
In his remarks, Scholz listed electricity, health, peace, and security as areas of partnership with ECOWAS.
He said “There are strategies that have been put in place to strengthen the partnership between Germany and ECOWAS.
“The situation of peace is very important, times are turbulent and we are in full support of peace. We are not going to accept a military coup in the ECOWAS region.” “This is my first visit to Nigeria since assuming office in December 2021,” he said.
The German Chancellor said his country is also cooperating with the ECOWAS in other areas including pandemic prevention, security and prevention of coups in the region, adding that Germany had increased its financial support to the bloc recently.
He assured of Germany’s continued support for the development of infrastructure in both countries.
He said his visit is aimed at strengthening ties and cooperation with Nigeria.
Discussions during the meeting focussed on strengthening relationships and cooperation in Agriculture, ICT, Infrastructure, climate change, Energy, Trade and enhancement of movement of goods and services between ECOWAS and the EU.
The visit provided an opportunity for the German Chancellor, the Business Executives who traveled with him and ECOWAS to engage in discussions on areas of existing and new cooperation.
Dominica Nwabufo
