The Strategic Orientation Committee (SOC) of the European Development Fund (EDF) for the West Africa region, comprising the European Union (EU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Monetary Union (UEMOA) held its fourth annual session in Brussels from 14 to 15 June 2017 to review progress and take appropriate decisions in the framework of the implementation of the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) 10th and 11th EDF.

 During this important meeting, which recorded the participation of ECOWAS and UEMOA heads of Institution, Mr. Marcel A. de SOUZA and Mr. Abdallah BOUREIMA, the situation of the projects inscribed in the pipeline of Regional Indicative Programs (RIP) 10th and 11th EDF have been extensively reviewed.

 At the end of their discussions, the representatives of the West African region and those of the European Union made important decisions and relevant recommendations for more efficient implementation of the RIP 10th EDF which has already achieved a contracting level of 88% and a disbursement rate of 54% of the total budget estimated at 595 million euros.

 In this vein, the SOC has called for accelerating the implementation of the Transport Facilitation Program, which remains a priority for the region. There was also a call to improve trade competitiveness and facilitation in West Africa.

 The SOC also stressed the need to improve the sharing of information and reporting of results between the National Authorizing Officers and the Regional Authorizing Officers. The regional organizations were requested to undertake the establishment of a platform for monitoring the implementation of the RIP programs and projects in order to bring at the same level of information, the implementing Agencies and the beneficiary witch are the regional organizations.

 With regard to the institutional capacity-building of Regional Organizations, it was recommended to reallocate the remaining funds allocated to the WAEMU Institutional Capacity Building Support Program (PARCI) in order to strengthen the capacity of the Regional Development Banks namely the International Development Bank (IDB) and the West African Development Bank (BOAD). The aim is to enable the banking institutions mentioned above to participate effectively in the blending mechanisms of the African Investment Facility (AFIF) as well as in the future European External Investment Plan (EIP). In addition, part of the remaining funds allocated to the UEMOA Institutional Capacity Building Support Program (PARCI) will be reallocated to the operationalization of the ECOWAS Commission’s EDF Regional Unit; the one for UEMOA is already in place.

 As regards to the 11th EDF PIR, the SOC noted the progress made in the project preparation process. Out of an allocation of € 1 150 million for the financing of 24 regional projects, € 656.3 million, has been committed to date, notably in the areas of the AFIF for 330 million euros, and the EU Trust Fund for € 200 million. In addition, regional programs for energy, transport, regional security (WAPIS), AFRITAC West I and the fight against unauthorized and unregulated illegal fishing (PESCAO) have also made significant commitments.

 Considering the security challenges in the region, the Committee called for the rapid implementation of the biometric component (fingerprints) of the WAPIS Program (-Automated Fingerprint Information System / AFIS). To this end, the SOC requested that the two parties, in collaboration with Interpol, carry out the feasibility study and then formulate the AFIS Project for funding.

 To contribute to the financing of urgent needs arising in the area of peace, security and stability in the region, the SOC decided to reallocate 5 million euros to support the extension costs for an additional year of the ECOWAS Mission to the Gambia (ECOMIG).

 Concerning the regional economic integration and trade support sector, the SOC has agreed on a comprehensive and integrated approach to support investment in infrastructure, to enhance competitiveness and to stimulate intra-community flows.

 After noting the weak involvement of Regional organizations in the formulation of projects submitted by financial institutions such as the IMF, the SOC recommended regular and sustained consultation of the Regional organizations on these projects.

 The European Union and the West Africa region reaffirmed their commitment to the regional EPA and stressed the need to accelerate the process of signing this Agreement by all parties and its implementation in order to establish a single and mutually beneficial trade regime. ECOWAS is committed to advocating and communicating more to Nigeria and The Gambia.

 In addition to the heads of institutions, several other personalities took part in this fourth session of the SOC. These include Mrs Carla Montessi, Director for Western and Central Africa of the European Commission, Mr Koen Vervaeke, African Executive Director for the European External Action Service, Mrs Birgitte Markussen, Deputy Executive Director for Africa, European External Action Service and several Technical Directors and Experts of the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions.