ECOWAS Celebrates 50 Years with Major Trade and Investment Push
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has powerfully reaffirmed its leadership in advancing regional trade, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable investment. This commitment was showcased at the ECOWAS Trade and Investment Forum & Exhibition (ECOTIFE) 2025, a flagship event held as part of the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) from November 7 to 16, 2025.
A Gathering of Regional Leaders at Tafawa Balewa Square
The opening ceremony, held at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square, was a significant convergence of top regional officials and business leaders. The event was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan-Enoh. The Lagos State Government was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Folashade Ambrose-Medem.
The forum's high profile was underscored by the attendance of key figures, including the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, who was represented by Dr. Kalilou Sylla. The event also drew ECOWAS commissioners, representatives from member-states, and members of the diplomatic corps, highlighting its crucial role in strengthening regional economic cooperation.
ECOTIFE: A Cornerstone of ECOWAS@50 Celebrations
ECOTIFE 2025 is an integral component of the year-long ECOWAS@50 celebrations, marking five decades of regional integration and shared progress. The initiative symbolizes the collective vision for a borderless, prosperous, and self-reliant West Africa. It serves as a dynamic platform that brings together policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and development partners with clear objectives:
- To strengthen regional trade linkages.
- To unlock new investment opportunities.
- To celebrate the creativity that fuels regional economic growth.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, captured the spirit of the event, stating, “This platform captures the spirit of ECOWAS@50 — the drive to connect markets, empower people, and unlock opportunities that transcend borders.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, Kolawole Sofola, emphasized the forum's strategic importance. “Trade facilitation and investment promotion are central to ECOWAS’ economic integration agenda,” Sofola said. “ECOTIFE aligns with our strategic objective to deepen intra-regional trade, strengthen regional value chains, and position West Africa as a competitive and sustainable investment destination.”
The forum underscores ECOWAS's unwavering commitment to deepening regional integration and achieving shared prosperity through stronger trade connections and inclusive economic growth for all member states.
