At the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee event in Accra, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, represented by Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, called on West African nations to strengthen economic ties and fully embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Tinubu emphasized that ECOWAS must evolve into a true “Community of People,” with regional trade and human development at its core. His remarks set a vision for deeper integration built on shared values, educational advancement, and innovation to transform West Africa’s economic landscape.
As Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu lauded the bloc’s progress in trade liberalization and poverty reduction over the past 50 years. He urged member states to implement policies that enhance the quality of life for their citizens and push for stronger collaboration in sectors like education and infrastructure. Tinubu’s vision promotes AfCFTA not just as a trade framework, but as a launchpad for economic empowerment and regional unity.
However, Tinubu did not shy away from the realities ECOWAS still faces. He acknowledged ongoing issues such as political instability, widespread poverty, youth unemployment, and security threats. He called for a renewed commitment from all member states to address these structural challenges, emphasizing that economic growth must be inclusive and sustainable if the region is to thrive in the next phase of its journey.
Echoing Tinubu’s sentiment, Ghanaian President John Mahama announced 1,000 scholarships for university students across the ECOWAS region, underscoring the importance of human capital development. The Jubilee celebration also featured the unveiling of a commemorative logo and the theme for the year-long event series. As ECOWAS marks its 50th year, the spotlight is on aligning trade policies, expanding educational opportunities, and uniting the region under a bold, progressive vision for the future.
Source: Nairametrics