President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has highlighted major economic and security gains recorded within the West African sub-region despite persistent global economic and political challenges.

Delivering what is expected to be his final presentation before the ECOWAS Parliament ahead of the end of his tenure in August 2026, Dr Touray presented the status of implementation of the ECOWAS Community Work Programme during the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.

According to him, regional economic growth increased from 4.3 percent in 2024 to 4.8 percent in 2025, with projections indicating further growth of 5.0 percent in 2026.

He also pointed to improvements in inflation management, fiscal discipline, public debt management and intra-regional trade across member states.

Dr Touray, however, urged ECOWAS member states to sustain ongoing reforms and deepen regional integration efforts to protect the sub-region from external economic shocks.

The ECOWAS Commission President further outlined progress made in peace and security, governance, humanitarian response, youth empowerment, digital transformation and infrastructure development.

He said the regional bloc had intensified mediation and preventive diplomacy efforts while advancing preparations towards the establishment of the ECOWAS Regional Counterterrorism Force.

According to him, ECOWAS also strengthened maritime and border security and maintained diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger under the Alliance of Sahel States framework.

Dr Touray disclosed that more than 5.3 million vulnerable persons across the region benefitted from humanitarian interventions undertaken by ECOWAS.

He added that opportunities for young people and women were expanded through entrepreneurship and academic mobility programmes, while several strategic regional infrastructure projects also recorded progress.

Touching on communication and information management, the ECOWAS Commission President revealed that more than 500 journalists across West Africa had been trained to combat misinformation and disinformation and their impact on peace and stability.

He also announced plans to modernise the ECOWAS Information and Communication Policy to address emerging challenges linked to social media and artificial intelligence.

Dr Touray further disclosed that ECOWAS is supporting The Gambia in establishing the region’s first National Response Centre to Combat Misinformation.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous and integrated West Africa through stronger regional cooperation, accountability and citizen-focused communication.

ECOWAS leader highlights economic and security progress in final address to regional parliament

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