The 37th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) has opened in Abuja, Nigeria, with a call for renewed commitment to regional integration and institutional reform.
The session, which runs from 15 to 17 June 2025, focuses on the mid-term evaluation of decisions, programmes, and projects across ECOWAS Institutions.
President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray represented by the Vice-President Madame Damtien Tchintchibidja, commended the continued leadership of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who also chairs the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
She praised Member States for approving the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary activities and budget during extraordinary meetings held in March, describing the move as a testament to their unwavering support for the regional body.
“ECOWAS is at a crossroads,” she stated, highlighting the need for institutional, political, and security reforms in light of recent challenges, including the withdrawal of three Member States. Madame Tchintchibidja announced that a summit on the future of the Community would be convened soon, with contributions from youth, women, and stakeholders expected to shape the next phase of integration.
In a remark, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, urged members to adopt strategic approaches for optimizing institutional resources and delivering visible results to West African citizens.
Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, officially declared the meeting open and applauded Member States for their active engagement. He emphasized the significance of the gathering in reinforcing the shared vision of a united, stable, and prosperous ECOWAS.
The meeting also reviewed updates on community programmes, the financial health of ECOWAS, and recruitment challenges within its institutions.
The 37th AFC Meeting comes on the heels of ECOWAS’ Golden Jubilee celebrations held in Accra and Lagos, which served as a moment of reflection and recommitment to the region’s integration goals under the theme: “Stronger Together for a Better Future.”
