Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi, has led a high-level delegation to the headquarters of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) in Lomé, Togo, to explore ways of strengthening collaboration between the two regional institutions to accelerate development across West Africa.
The delegation, which included the Commissioner for Internal Services and the Director of Budget and Treasury, held discussions with the Bank’s leadership on strengthening institutional relations and identifying practical areas of cooperation that will deliver tangible benefits to citizens of the ECOWAS region.
During the engagement, Mr. Ogunjimi outlined the Commission’s strategic priorities, anchored in the ECOWAS Vision 2050, emphasizing the importance of translating regional policies and commitments into concrete development outcomes.
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He stressed the need for closer collaboration between ECOWAS institutions, particularly in mobilizing resources and implementing programmes that respond to the development needs and aspirations of West African citizens.
The Vice-President proposed three key areas for enhanced cooperation.
These include the establishment of a regional fund supported by contributions from Community institutions, which would help strengthen resource mobilization for regional development initiatives.
The other proposed areas are the Human Capital Development Programme and the Community Development Programme, both aimed at advancing inclusive development and improving the welfare of citizens across the region.
The proposed initiatives reflect ECOWAS’ broader commitment to strengthening regional integration, investing in people and promoting sustainable economic and social development.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for both institutions to review their existing relationship and identify practical mechanisms for more effective cooperation.
The partnership between the ECOWAS Commission and EBID remains important to advancing the region’s development agenda, particularly through the mobilization of financial resources and support for strategic regional programmes.
The discussions form part of ongoing efforts to translate the aspirations of ECOWAS Vision 2050 into meaningful interventions that improve livelihoods, strengthen regional institutions and promote shared prosperity across West Africa.
