The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in partnership with the World Bank and Sense Strategy under the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme (WARDIP), convened a validation workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, on 25 November 2025. The event focused on reviewing the draft Regional E-Government Strategy, marking a key step in advancing digital governance and integration across the region.
Regional Collaboration for Digital Transformation
The workshop brought together senior officials, digital economy experts, and representatives from ministries, regulatory bodies, and institutions across all ECOWAS Member States. Its purpose was to finalize the strategic direction, governance structure, and implementation roadmap for a unified, citizen-centered e-government framework across West Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs. Folake Olagunju, Acting Director of Digital Economy and Post, welcomed participants and underscored the strategic importance of the initiative. She noted that the draft strategy aligns with ECOWAS’ Vision 2050, the Community Strategic Framework (2023–2027), and the Digital Sector Development Strategy (2024–2029), while also adhering to continental and global guidelines including the AU Digital Transformation Strategy 2030, the AU Data Policy Framework, and the UN Global Digital Compact (GDC).
ECOWAS Member States Affirm Commitment
Mrs. Aminata Omaru Thollay, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Communication, Technology & Innovation, representing Sierra Leone as the current Chair of the ECOWAS ICT Expert Group, described the workshop as a historic moment for collective ownership of regional digital initiatives.
“A regional approach is not only beneficial but non-negotiable. Only coordinated action can transform isolated pockets of progress into a coherent pathway for digital advancement across West Africa,” she stated.
Participants engaged in detailed discussions on the proposed pillars of the strategy, emphasizing principles such as regional coherence with national flexibility, citizen-centered development, trust, resilience, and sustainability.
Driving Africa’s Digital Agenda Forward
The ECOWAS Commission recognized the contributions of Member States, regional partners, and Sense Strategy for their technical expertise and collaboration. The outcomes of the workshop will inform the final version of the Regional E-Government Strategy, which will be submitted for adoption through ECOWAS’ decision-making structures.
This workshop reinforces ECOWAS regional initiatives to enhance the digital economy, accelerate digital economy workshop outcomes, and support effective e-government strategy implementation across West Africa.
This story was first reported by ECOWAS. Read the full article here.
