West African countries are set to benefit from a new partnership with Germany that aims to boost investment and intervention programs in the region. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the deal after a meeting with the German Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Mrs. Svenja Schulze, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to a statement from the commission, the partnership will focus on the thematic areas of peaceful and inclusive societies, climate and energy, sustainable economic development, training and employment, health, social protection, and population policy. The agreement covers the period of 2023-2024 and amounts to €81 million, bringing Germany’s total support to ECOWAS to €500 million over the last decade.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, expressed his appreciation for the visit and the cooperation, saying that it would help advance the development objectives of West Africa. He also highlighted the importance of German support in key areas such as maritime security, regional integration, peacekeeping operations, and democratic governance.
Minister Schulze, who was on an official visit to Nigeria, said that Germany was committed to promoting mutual interests and strengthening ties with ECOWAS. She also praised the regional bloc for its role in addressing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely affected the economies and livelihoods of millions of people in West Africa.
The visit also included scheduled project visits to gain insights into ongoing development initiatives within the West African region. The statement said that the visit provided an opportunity for both parties to witness first-hand the impact of collaborative development projects and initiatives, highlighting the tangible outcomes of their cooperation.
The partnership between ECOWAS and Germany comes at a time when West Africa is facing multiple threats to its stability and security, such as terrorism, violent extremism, organized crime, and climate change. The region has also been struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
The partnership is expected to enhance the capacity of ECOWAS and its member states to address these challenges and foster sustainable development and peace in the region. It is also in line with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa.
Source: Leadership
