BREAKING: ECOWAS Holds Regional Workshop to Boost Digital Connectivity, Infrastructure Development

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has moved to advance digital connectivity across the region and foster a robust and interconnected digital ecosystem.

The regional bloc hosted a technical workshop on policy and regulatory exchange and knowledge sharing on connectivity market integration in West Africa in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Acting Director, Digital Economy, ECOWAS Commission, Folake Olagunju, in her remarks at the opening of the Regional Workshop on Connectivity Market Policy and Regulatory Coordination, explained that the workshop seeks to engage participants in meaningful discussions around thematic areas such as strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, harmonising the digital market environment, and facilitating coordination among stakeholders to encourage private sector investment.

In another development, ECOWAS is presently pushing seriously for the actualisation of the region’s free movement as it begins the tour of major border points within the sub region.

The tour commenced with the visit of the President of the Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, and a strong team from the regional bloc to one of the busiest borders in the area, Seme Border (Nigeria/Benin Border) on Wednesday.

During the visit, Touray, who took time out to speak to various stakeholders as he made the trip to the border from Lagos before having a meeting with officials at the border, criticised the poor state of border infrastructure, urging swift reforms to protect the region’s free movement objectives.

Meanwhile, Olagunju, who represented the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Mr. Sediko Douka, also said, the workshop was part of the ECOWAS Commission’s efforts to implement its Digital Sector Development Strategy for 2024-2029, which envisions digital transformation as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and deeper regional integration.

She said: “The strategy focuses on developing a conducive policy and regulatory environment, alongside digital infrastructure development.

“The ECOWAS Commission aims to strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks to foster a level playing field for digital connectivity solutions.

“This will enable the development of digital connectivity solutions that drive economic growth while actively engaging the private sector as a key partner in this endeavor.

“The commission also seeks to harmonise the digital market environment to enable cross-border interconnection of networks and services.

“This will facilitate the integration of the digital connectivity market in West Africa, promoting a seamless and efficient digital ecosystem.”

“Furthermore, the ECOWAS Commission plans to provide catalytic public funding for connectivity infrastructure PPP projects to enhance the resilience of international and core backbone connectivity.

“This will ensure that the region’s digital infrastructure is robust and reliable, supporting the growth of digital economies.

“The commission aims to facilitate coordination among stakeholders to encourage private sector investment in digital connectivity.

“By working together, the ECOWAS Commission and its partners can create a favorable environment for investment, driving the growth of digital connectivity in West Africa.”

Olagunju emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating that: “Your participation is invaluable in shaping strategies that will drive the digital future of our region.”

The ECOWAS Commission expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its financial support and technical assistance in implementing the project.

Also speaking, the Assistant Director, Telecom and Postal Services at the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Wakili Saidu, said the workshop is a call for action—a call to reaffirm shared commitment to collaborate, align policies, and effective implementation.”

Saidu stressed the importance of coordinated efforts in achieving a digital single market that benefits all citizens of West Africa.

“It is only through coordinated and coherent efforts that we can attract greater private sector investment, ensure affordability and better quality of service,” he said.

Saidu urged participants to prioritise the collective advancement of the ECOWAS region, saying, “Let us look beyond our individual national interests and prioritise the collective advancement of our beloved ECOWAS region.”

Saidu expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment to regional development and digital transformation, wishing them productive and fruitful deliberations over the course of the two-day workshop.

The World Bank Digital Specialist, Ms. Rocio Sanchez Vigueras, said the workshop provided a platform for sharing experiences and learning from successes and challenges in implementing digital economy initiatives.

“We can learn from the good lessons and things that have worked, as well as those that didn’t work,” Vigueras said.

“I’ve worked with different countries that are part of ECOWAS, and it’s essential to share experiences and best practices to promote the single data market within ECOWAS and the African continent.”

Vigueras expressed gratitude to online participants, including governments from Spain, Sweden, and Germany, for their support in implementing a new legal and regulatory framework for the data economy within ECOWAS.

She looked forward to hearing experiences and exploring ways to support ECOWAS and other countries in promoting a single data market.

The workshop brought together representatives of ECOWAS member states, regulators, telecommunications experts, and private sector stakeholders to discuss critical dimensions of the digital transformation agenda.

Meanwhile, after the meeting with Nigerian and Beninese officials at the border, President of the Commission, Dr. Omar Touray said “this is one of the busiest and most strategic border posts in West Africa,” and we cannot wait to see it not performing optimally.

He lamented that at the border, “we are faced with expensive facilities; scanners, lighting systems, and bridges that are simply not working. That is unacceptable.”

He said he was alarmed to find that core ECOWAS infrastructure was neglected despite heavy investment.

He cried that: “We cannot justify millions spent on equipment that lies idle. Our citizens expect results—not excuses.”

He also stressed that while the regional body is responsible for initiating infrastructure, the onus of maintenance lies with individual member states.

The commission’s president also criticised the proliferation of checkpoints within member countries, arguing that it contradicts the spirit of free movement enshrined in ECOWAS protocols. He asked, “Why do we have multiple customs and immigration posts for the same corridor?

“It frustrates travelers, delays trade, and creates opportunities for corruption.”

While calling for transparency, he urged officials to crack down on unofficial payments.

He however corrected the notion that within ECOWAS states citizens of the Community should be unquestioned, stating that free movement does not mean movement without relevant documents especially identification card and passport.

Despite the setbacks, Touray said he was encouraged by the joint commitment from Nigeria and Benin to improve cooperation.

He said: “This border post has potential. But potential alone is not enough. We must act – and act fast.”

He pledged that ECOWAS would deliver a full report with recommendations to improve operations, address infrastructure failures, and remove obstacles to seamless cross-border movement.

The Nigerian Customs Controller of the Lagos-Seme Border, Ben Oramalugo, provided a stark assessment of the situation. “We have scanners installed, but they are not working.

“Since I reported here on February 12, they have remained non-functional. These scanners can detect things human eyes cannot.

“When you inspect cargo manually, you might miss drugs or dangerous goods hidden deep inside. We need your help to get these scanners working again,” Oramalugo explained.

He added, “We do not have electricity at all in Seme. We depend entirely on Benin. And when their power goes out, we’re left in total darkness. This is Nigeria’s number one border, connecting the entire Francophone region, yet we are not connected to the national grid.”

The customs controller also raised concern about economic policy and the impact of double taxation.

“Goods coming from Benin that should be in transit are taxed there and then taxed again in Nigeria. This discourages trade. Importers are avoiding this corridor. We need both countries to follow internationally recognised transit rules,” the customer officer stated.

Oramalugo also called on ECOWAS to reduce the number of checkpoints on the international corridor.

“From here to Badagry, I have ensured there are only three customs checkpoints. But there are still too many from other agencies. I appeal to you—let us enforce a maximum of three checkpoints total. This road tells the story of Nigeria. What people see here reflects on all of us,” the customs officer stated.

The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS Ambassador Musa Nuhu, described the Seme border as critical to the ECOWAS free movement agenda. “This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people, and services,” he stated. “And if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out.”

Nuhu noted that the challenges raised by local officials—including infrastructure decay, overlapping security checks, and operational bottlenecks—highlighted the gap between policy and implementation. “It’s good that they mentioned these issues for you to really understand practically what is happening along this very important border.”

Nuhu also revealed that the federal government had taken steps to independently assess and reform the corridor. “Not quite long ago, we carried out the same exercise along the border without even the officials here knowing, for us to really take note of what is going on.

“President Bola Tinubu has just approved the setting up of the Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints in the whole country. We are starting with the Seme-Badagry corridor. That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue,” he added.

Immigration officers stationed along the Seme border have called for intensified public awareness campaigns on the rights and limitations of the ECOWAS free movement protocol, citing widespread misunderstanding among travellers and transporters.