The Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission concluded a pivotal three-day strategic retreat from April 7 to 9, 2025, aimed at strengthening coordination, evaluating progress, and setting a renewed development agenda in alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050.
The retreat gathered the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, alongside Directors, technical experts, and support staff from all departmental Directorates and Specialised Agencies. The convening served as a forum for critical reflection and future planning, anchored on the ECOWAS 4×4 Strategic Objectives — governance, peace and security, economic integration, connectivity, and social inclusion.
Participants reviewed departmental achievements between 2022 and 2024, scrutinized work plans for the 2025–2026 period, and strategized for landmark events such as the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary and the global Summit of the Future.
Key sessions featured in-depth presentations on major departmental activities, experience-sharing on operational challenges, and high-level discussions on improving resource mobilisation and coordination. The retreat culminated in a set of actionable recommendations designed to enhance the coherence, impact, and delivery of the department’s mandates.
Outcomes from the retreat include stronger alignment of departmental actions with ECOWAS institutional goals, enhanced inter-directorate collaboration, and a unified commitment to driving tangible progress in regional integration and economic development across West Africa.
This strategic gathering takes place against the broader historical and political backdrop of ECOWAS’ evolution. Founded in 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos, ECOWAS has long stood as a pillar of African unity, with a mission to foster economic integration among its member states. Despite recent geopolitical shifts — including the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in January 2025 — the community continues to push forward with its agenda of building an “ECOWAS of the People,” aiming to deliver peace and prosperity to over 300 million citizens by 2050.
