African Development Bank (AFDB) Regional Integration Strategy Paper has been reviewed at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja from 17th to 18th March 2014 by Experts representing AFDB, Private Sector, Think Tanks, International Organizations and West African Regional Integration Institutions.
This Regional Consultation and Dialogue Workshop was intended to engage with key regional stakeholders on the review of the implementation and achievements of the West African Regional Intergation Strategie Paper (WA-RISP) at mid term and propose recommandations for the remaining period, in view of the changing needs of the region and lessons learned from the implementation of the strategy.
During the two days of deliberations, the Experts examined AFDB Regional Integration Strategy Paper covering a five year period, 2011-2015. The activities under this AFDB initiative are based on two main pillards. The first pillar supports investments in the fields of energy, trade, market integration and regional infrastructure.
The second pillar of AFDB Regional Integration Strategy is oriented towards strengthening ECOWAS and UEMOA capacities. In this context, the Bank’s efforts have focused on improving regional institutions capacities, financial sector integration, support for regional research and training programs.
The need for consistency between these two pillars of the Bank’s framework and the ECOWAS Vision 2020 has been forcefully reaffirmed during this meeting.
Regional priorities revolve around six major areas including entrenchment of peace, democracy and security, infrastructure development, consolidation of the common market through free movement of persons and goods, development of the regional private sector, development of agriculture, achieving food security, sustainable access to energy, and finally human development through capacity building, of youth training, and the creation of centers of excellence .
In this respect, the participants recommanded to further strengthen ECOWAS -AFDB cooperation, to integrate regional priorities and to take into account the emerging regional challenges in the new version of the Regional Integration Strategy Paper to be submitted shortly to AFDB Boards.
In his opening speech, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His EX. Kadré Desire Ouedraogo stressed the special nature of this meeting . “This is indeed the first time that a joint meeting is held on the integration agenda of West Africa ” has he said before reaffirming the commitment of ECOWAS to deepen discussions with AFDB on regional issues.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission has also expressed his availability and expressed the wish to see the cooperation with AFDB to continue and to strengthen in the future.