The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, as the pioneer Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC).
ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Touray, announced this during the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to official reports, the EBC is an independent platform created by ECOWAS to strengthen the private sector, enhance sub-regional trade, promote investment, and support economic integration.
The EBC is envisaged to bridge the gap between businesses and policymakers within the West African sub-region.
Touray explained that the choice of the Nigerian billionaire was based on his vast business experience, not just in the ECOWAS sub-region, but across the continent.
He said that the idea of promoting intra-regional investment was already gaining traction among the Member States.
He cited some economic investment fora, such as the Forum Senegal Invest; West African Economic Summit in Nigeria; and ‘Invest in District Savanes’ forum in Côte d’Ivoire, which all took place in West Africa this year.
“This appetite for intra-regional investment underscores the need to mobilise capital within our region to build our community, rather than wait for precarious foreign investments.
“I am confident that with the kind of investments we have seen from the likes of Alhaji Dangote, our regional private sector actors can lead the way in the development of our Community, if given the right incentives and opportunity,” he said.
The commission’s president said that through the EBC, ECOWAS would bring private sector actors together to discuss economic integration, and regional development.
The Council is also expected to facilitate dialogue and partnerships among private sector players, government agencies, and the institutions, among others.
