The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in collaboration with international development partners and civil society organizations, is stepping up efforts to counter the growing threat of misinformation, disinformation, and divisive narratives undermining peace, social cohesion, and democratic stability across West Africa.
As part of these efforts, the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication convened a one-day Strategy Roundtable on Misinformation, Disinformation, Polarisation, and State Threat in West Africa on April 30, 2025. The roundtable marked a key milestone in the Commission’s push to strengthen information integrity and promote coordinated regional responses to the increasingly complex information environment.
Organized in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), the meeting brought together key stakeholders to co-develop a strategic roadmap for addressing the destabilising impact of mis/disinformation and polarising content. It also served as a follow-up to the inaugural Kick-off Meeting for the ECOWAS Mis/Disinformation Unit, held on April 29, 2025. Participants included representatives from the German Embassy in Nigeria, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), MFWA, various ECOWAS Directorates, and other strategic partners.
Declaring the roundtable open on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, Mr. Jerome BOA, Director of External Relations in the Office of the President, commended the partners for their enduring commitment to peace, inclusion, and democratic governance in the region. He stressed the need for a coordinated regional action to address the dangerous spread of mis/disinformation.
“The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation—fuelled by social media algorithms, artificial intelligence, political opportunism, and often, silence—has become a strategic threat to state stability and regional peace. It fans the flames of extremism, undermines electoral integrity, corrodes trust in institutions, and increasingly serves as a tool in the arsenal of those who seek to destabilise our societies from within. This Strategy Roundtable represents a critical turning point—from fragmented awareness to strategic, collective action. It is an opportunity to forge a bold, unified response drawing on the unique strengths of our institutions, partners, media, civil society, and communities.” Mr. BOA stated.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the German Government, Svenja OSSMANN, ECOWAS Cluster Coordinator and Representative of the German Embassy in Nigeria, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS and its partners in confronting the challenges of misinformation, polarisation, and threats to peace and inclusion.
“We are honoured to support this important initiative through the Support to the ECOWAS Commission on Organisational Development (OD) programme. The Strategy Roundtable offers a timely and vital platform to reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, social cohesion, and democratic resilience.” said OSSMANN.
The roundtable is expected to yield a draft regional strategy outlining concrete steps for collaborative action against misinformation, disinformation, and extremist narratives. This roadmap will serve as a foundation for strengthening institutional capacities and enhancing regional coordination in the fight for information integrity and democratic stability.