The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have launched a high-level consultation meeting on the extension of the Regional Integration Strategy Paper (RISP) for West Africa (2020–2027).
The three-day gathering, running from 4 to 6 February 2026 at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, brings together senior officials from both institutions to chart the strategic direction of the RISP for the region.
In his opening remarks, Lamin Barrow, AfDB’s Director General for West Africa, emphasised the urgency of extending the current RISP, which reached the end of its term in December 2025.
He stated that prolonging the strategy is essential to sustaining ongoing initiatives and supporting new operations under the AfDB’s partnership with ECOWAS.
Welcoming participants, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, commended the AfDB for its comprehensive support to the regional body.
“The African Development Bank has been instrumental in driving development across multiple sectors in West Africa, including agriculture, infrastructure, trade, customs, capacity development, health, education, industry, and energy,” he said.
The RISP serves as a critical regional programming instrument, guiding cooperation between ECOWAS and the AfDB to foster economic integration, strengthen regional infrastructure, and enhance social development across West Africa.
The extension is expected to provide a strategic framework that aligns with new regional priorities, including trade facilitation, industrialisation, and energy security.
The three-day consultations will focus on evaluating the current strategy, identifying emerging challenges, and defining actionable steps to ensure that the next phase of the RISP continues to drive sustainable development and regional cohesion.
As West Africa navigates a rapidly changing economic landscape, this partnership signals a renewed commitment by ECOWAS and the AfDB to promote inclusive growth, enhance regional connectivity, and bolster resilience across member states.
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