ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse.
By Mark Longyen
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC), which will soon be unveiled, will become the private sector’s engine room for economic growth and integration.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, made this known at a meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) finalising EBC’s takeoff on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the TWG comprises a coalition of regional experts, private sector champions, and ECOWAS officials, working on the final preparations for EBC’s inauguration.
According to the commissioner, ECOWAS intends to build an EBC that is broad-based, inclusive, and effective, noting that the EBC “is designed by private sector leaders, for private sector leaders.”
Toure-Litse said: “ECOWAS has made deliberate efforts to ensure that the council is representative of the region’s diverse economic landscape through extensive consultations with the member states.
“From agribusiness to tech startups, cross-border logistics to financial services, the council’s composition will mirror the economic pulse of West Africa.
“This platform will truly represent the interests of the private sector, which reinforces ECOWAS’ recognition that private enterprise is the engine room of integration and growth.”
The commissioner further said the meeting aimed to harmonise inputs, finalise the transition strategy, and ensure that the council hit the ground running upon its formal inauguration later this year.
She also described the EBC as an emerging transformational force in ECOWAS’ effort to navigate the post-AfCFTA landscape, enhance regional value chains, and accelerate intra-African trade.
“The TWG’s deliberations will feed into a follow-up expanded stakeholders meeting, expected to attract business associations, regional trade groups, and international development partners — the very constituencies that will power the EBC’s success,” she added.
TWG is tasked with putting finishing touches to the EBC’s governance framework, communication strategy, scrutinising its handbook, organogram, and proposed logo, among others.
It is also expected to craft a formidable business advocacy organ that reflects the vibrant and diverse economic terrain of the ECOWAS sub-region.
The EBC, a 21-member, private sector-led body created by ECOWAS, aims to institutionalise private sector policy-making by outsourcing to them control and responsibility.
EBC is also expected to strengthen regional resilience amid global economic headwinds, streamline business policy across borders, and open new doors for public-private dialogue on everything business including infrastructure and digitalisation.(NAN)
