ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are reinforcing their partnership in industry, trade, and investment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional economic integration.
This renewed collaboration was underscored during a courtesy visit by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Touré-Litse, to Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in Abuja.
The visit comes ahead of the fourth Joint Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI), set for May 2025, where Nigeria will take over the rotating presidency.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication noted that Commissioner Touré-Litse congratulated Minister Oduwole on her recent appointment and reiterated ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening its engagement with Nigeria.
She described Nigeria as a “strategic partner for the region’s economic development.”
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Talks between the two officials focused on Nigeria’s leadership role in the upcoming ECOMOTI meeting and the importance of a unified ECOWAS stance ahead of key international trade events such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) summit and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations.
As part of ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary celebrations, Commissioner Touré-Litse also announced plans to host a Conference on Trade, Investment and Economic Diversification in Lagos.
Minister Oduwole welcomed the initiative, expressing Nigeria’s readiness to play an active role, and requested timely updates to ensure full participation from her ministry.