On the 12th of November 2025, ECOWAS launched the 50th Anniversary Village at the Cotonou Convention Centre as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. Under the patronage of the Beninese Minister of Economy and Finance, the opening ceremony was presided over by Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, in the presence of several institutional and diplomatic representatives, civil society representatives and students who participated in the art workshops.
Scheduled to run from 12th to 14th of November, the Village du Cinquantenaire offers a variety of activities: the “ECOWAS of Peoples” fair, art and culinary exhibitions, a cultural evening and exhibition visits. The opening ceremony featured official speeches, a cultural interlude, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a mural dedicated to the organisation’s 50th anniversary.
Ambassador DIONGUE praised the strong turnout for the event, while the representative of the Ministry of Finance emphasised the challenges that need to be addressed in order to strengthen regional integration. The opening concluded with an inaugural conference on the theme “ECOWAS of the peoples: Context, concept and reality”, led by high-level experts tracing the history and evolution of the organisation.
