By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr.
A high-level Experts Preparatory Meeting ahead of the 20th Session of ECOWAS Ministers in charge of Telecommunications, ICT, and Digitalisation has opened with a strong call for enhanced regional cooperation and innovation to drive West Africa’s digital future.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador John Azumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, welcomed delegates on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and emphasized the urgency of harnessing digital technologies to accelerate economic growth, integration, and sustainable development across the region.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the German development agency (GIZ), the ECOWAS Directorate of Digital Economy and Posts, senior government officials, and technical experts from member states.
Ambassador Azumah expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Sierra Leone for hosting the meeting, while also recognizing the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, who currently serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“We deeply appreciate the hospitality and the facilities made available for this important meeting. Your contribution to its success is highly valued and not taken for granted,” he stated.
He noted that the meeting comes at a significant moment as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary, reflecting on decades of regional cooperation since its establishment on May 28, 1975.
According to him, the gathering also signals renewed momentum toward the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, which seeks to transition the bloc from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of People,” with the overarching goal of building a peaceful, borderless, prosperous, and inclusive West Africa.
The Ambassador highlighted that the meeting’s agenda aligns with one of the five core pillars of Vision 2050—Technology, Innovation, and Digitalisation—while also supporting broader continental and global frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Over the course of the multi-day session, participants are expected to deliberate on a range of critical issues shaping the region’s digital landscape. These include cybersecurity, digital infrastructure development, regional connectivity, and strategies to bridge the digital divide.
“Our agenda is both ambitious and timely,” Ambassador Azumah noted. “We must explore innovative solutions that will enhance connectivity and unlock new opportunities for our citizens.”
Highlighting the host country’s potential, Ambassador Azumah described Sierra Leone as a nation with immense opportunities to leverage digital transformation, particularly given its youthful population and growing technological landscape.
He emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing and collaboration among member states, noting that such engagements are vital in building a resilient and inclusive digital economy across West Africa.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Azumah urged participants to seize the opportunity presented by the meeting to shape a future that benefits all citizens of the region.
“Let us seize this moment to shape a digital future that benefits all,” he said.
As deliberations continue, stakeholders remain optimistic that the outcomes of the experts’ meeting will inform ministerial decisions and accelerate the implementation of key digital initiatives across ECOWAS member states.
