ECOWAS and AfDB discuss regional priorities in Abidjan

A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission, led by its Vice President Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi, visited the African Development Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 12 October 2026. The working session with the bank’s leadership, led by Abdul Kamara, Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration, and Activity Implementation, provided an opportunity to review bilateral collaboration and explore ways to deepen support for West African development.

ECOWAS Commission’s Four-Year Strategic Priorities

During the meeting, Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi outlined the Commission’s key management priorities for the next four years, directly aligned with ECOWAS’s Vision 2050. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that plans and commitments deliver tangible benefits to local populations.

The ECOWAS representative also highlighted the AfDB’s technical and financial support for development initiatives across the region.

Sectoral Focus and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor

Discussions between the delegations covered transport infrastructure, with particular attention to the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. Topics included trade exchanges, investments, early warning systems, and conflict prevention.

The talks also addressed strengthening human capital, youth employment, and structuring viable regional projects under ECOWAS’s Community Development Programme.

Proposal for Institutionalized Exchange Framework

Given the need for follow-up, AfDB officials proposed establishing a structured institutional mechanism to regularize exchanges. This platform would allow both parties to periodically assess priorities, address implementation challenges, and monitor agreed-upon measures.

Representatives from both organizations stressed the need to accelerate project execution timelines to ensure allocated resources translate into economic opportunities and sustainable improvements in living conditions across member states.