COYWA Programme: Digital and Financial Training for Entrepreneurs in Accra

The Ghanaian capital, Accra, hosted the second regional training session of the Creating Opportunities for Youth and Women in Africa (COYWA) programme from 26 to 30 October 2026. This in-person session brought together young project leaders and women entrepreneurs for a curriculum focused on digital technologies and financial management.

The programme is led by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). Within this framework, ECOWAS acts as a regional implementation partner to align modules with the specific needs and priorities of the West African space.

A blended learning approach combining online courses and hands-on workshops

The training pathway for this second cohort was structured in two phases. Beneficiaries began their training remotely on 23 September 2026, through a virtual learning phase. This preparatory work was followed by an in-person gathering in Accra to deepen technical knowledge.

During the in-person sessions, the programme covered mastery of digital solutions tailored to business activities. Participants studied secure internet use, productivity enhancement, and the integration of digital platforms into routine commercial operations. The training also included responsible use of artificial intelligence tools to support daily operations, improve internal organization methods, and foster innovation. The curriculum combined these technical skills with financial education to link resource management with budgetary oversight.

Official closing ceremony and certificate presentation

The training concluded with an official ceremony to award certificates to participants. Several government officials and representatives from regional institutions attended the closing session.

The event featured the youth ministers of Gambia and Sierra Leone, the representative of Benin’s Minister of Youth, and the director of youth affairs from Senegal. The ECOWAS Permanent Representative in Ghana and the Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CYSD/ECOWAS) also participated in the certificate presentation alongside national delegations.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Nassirou Bako-Arifari, addressed the audience to commend the session’s progress. He noted that the training content aligns with the economic and entrepreneurial realities of the West African region. The commissioner encouraged participants to build lasting professional networks within the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem to leverage their new knowledge in local markets and cross-border trade.