President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its unwavering commitment to regional integration over the past five decades. Speaking at the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee event in Accra, Ghana, Tinubu emphasized the organization’s role in fostering economic cooperation, trade, and stability across West Africa.
Represented by Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Tinubu highlighted ECOWAS’ achievements, describing it as Africa’s most successful regional economic community. He noted that the bloc has established a vibrant free trade area, lifting millions out of poverty and strengthening intra-regional commerce.
Despite these successes, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges that persist, including political instability, economic hardship, infrastructural deficits, and security threats. He urged ECOWAS leaders to reimagine the organization as a community of people, not just states, calling for greater investment in education, innovation, and skills development to unlock Africa’s full potential.
The President also emphasized the importance of deepening economic cooperation and ensuring the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becomes a vehicle for genuine transformation. His remarks were echoed by Ghana’s President John Mahama, who stressed the need for ECOWAS to remain connected to the aspirations of its citizens.
As part of the celebrations, ECOWAS unveiled its official Golden Jubilee logo and theme, setting the stage for a yearlong series of commemorative events. The milestone serves as a reminder of the organization’s enduring vision and the collective efforts required to build a prosperous West Africa.
