The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has concluded plans to launch its 21 member Business Council in September.
Dr. Tony Elumelu, Director of Private Sector said in a statement, that the decision to launch the council was one of the outcomes of the last meeting of the steering committee, the Technical Working Group for the launch.
According to him, the council is expected to help foster economic growth, promote investment, and enhance the attraction of the region and its competitiveness as a preferred investment destination.
Elumelu, who represented the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandjé Toure-Litse, at the opening of the meeting stressed the necessity of the council to help drive private sector involvement in the region’s integration.
He described the meeting as an important milestone in the journey to realisation of the council, which was established by the region’s Council of Ministers vide Regulation C/REG.9/6/21 as the pivot for mobilising the private sector in ECOWAS integration.
He noted that the objective of the meeting was to review the current status of implementation, assess readiness, and finalise preparations for the business council’s formal inauguration.
He urged the group to carefully review the various documents prepared by the commission and offer constructive criticisms in order to ensure a successful launch.
Elumelu added that the ECOWAS Business Council, once inaugurated would serve as a central platform for private sector engagement, driving policy dialogue, and promoting intra-regional trade and investment across the member states
In his speech, the Chairman of the Technical Working Group, Mr. Gerard Amangou, commended the programme directorate for diligently following the recommendations of August 5, 2025 meeting and stressed the need to confirm the proposed launch date with the management of the ECOWAS Commission.
In his remarks, Dr. Mansur Ahmed, of the Dangote Group underscored the importance of timely action to ensure a successful launch.
He reaffirmed Dangote Group’s commitment in supporting the ECOWAS Commission and the steering committee in their efforts to realise the objectives of the business council.
The one-day meeting provided an opportunity for representatives from the Office of the President, Dangote Group, ECOWAS Permanent Mission to Nigeria, and the Technical Working Group to collectively review the draft documents and assess overall readiness for the business council launch.
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