Tag:

ECOWAS

Dangote and Ecowas
Headlines

ECOWAS Appoints Aliko Dangote as Inaugural Chairman of Regional Business Council

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

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 the appointment on Wednesday during the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.

The EBC, an independent platform established by ECOWAS, is designed to strengthen the role of the private sector, stimulate sub-regional trade, attract investment, and enhance economic integration across West Africa. It is expected to serve as a bridge between the private sector and policymakers within the sub-region.

Touray explained that Dangote’s selection was informed by his extensive business expertise and the significant economic footprint of his enterprises, not only within the ECOWAS region but across the African continent.

He noted that momentum for intra-regional investment was increasing, citing recent economic forums such as the Forum Senegal Invest, the West African Economic Summit in Nigeria, and the “Invest in District Savanes” forum in Côte d’Ivoire.

“This growing appetite for intra-regional investment highlights the need to mobilise capital within our region to build our community, rather than relying on unstable foreign investments,” Touray said.

He added that with the scale of investments by business leaders such as Dangote, the region’s private sector could drive West Africa’s development if provided with the right incentives and opportunities.

Through the EBC, ECOWAS aims to convene private sector stakeholders to deliberate on economic integration and regional development, while facilitating stronger partnerships among private enterprises, government agencies, and ECOWAS institutions.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Tinubu
Business

Tinubu Orders Removal of Checkpoints to Boost ECOWAS Free Movement

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the setting up of a Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints that are hindering free movement.

Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, disclosed this during a visit to the Nigeria/Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.

“We are starting with the Seme-Badagry Corridor first. That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue.

“So, we have noted all the issues mentioned, and I assure you that the government of Nigeria will also address the other issues that are subsequently mentioned.”

There have been complaints of multiple checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which are affecting the smooth movement of people and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

Ambassador Nuhu said, “This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people and services. And if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out”.

Most motorists who spoke during the meeting complained about multiple checkpoints and extortion by security agencies along the corridor.

Responding, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said that any payment made by motorists must be accompanied by receipts.

He lamented that the multiple checkpoints and extortion of community citizens across the member states was defeating the intention of ECOWAS to have a more integrated region.

“While you check passengers and road users, we should go beyond these charges of being asked to pay money without receipts. If there are any payments to be done, those payments should be officially receipted.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially exit ECOWAS

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The withdrawal, which was first announced on January 29, 2024, became effective on Wednesday, January 29, 2925, following a one-year notice period mandated by ECOWAS regulations.

The three Sahel nations, now united under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have accused ECOWAS of imposing “inhuman, illegal, and illegitimate” sanctions in response to their military takeovers.

The juntas also criticized the bloc for its perceived failure to support their fight against jihadist insurgencies and for allegedly serving the interests of their former colonial ruler, France.

In their realignment of foreign partnerships, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have strengthened ties with Russia, Turkey, and Iran, while distancing themselves from Western influence.

Despite their departure, ECOWAS has announced transitional measures to prevent disruptions in trade and mobility for citizens of the three nations:

ECOWAS-branded passports and identity cards will remain valid for travel within member states.

Goods and services from the three countries will still enjoy trade benefits under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).

Visa-free movement, residence, and establishment will continue to apply to their citizens under existing ECOWAS protocols.

The bloc also confirmed the creation of a framework for discussions on the future relationship between ECOWAS and the breakaway nations.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Niger Coup: Eight ECOWAS leaders arrive Abuja

by Andrew Mailafia
written by Andrew Mailafia

Eight leaders of the Economic Community of West African States have arrived in Abuja ahead of the summit on the coup in Niger republic.

The eight leaders that have arrived are President Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), PresidentvUmaro Mokhtar Sissoco (Guinea Bissau), President Everiste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), President Alassane Ouattara (Cote d’Ivoire), President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritinia), President Nana Akofo-Ado (Ghana), President Macky Sall (Senegal) and President Patrice Talon (Benin).

Other leaders being expected are, the President of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé Eyadéma and President Adama Barrow.

The leaders from the West African bloc, ECOWAS, would meet on Thursday for an emergency summit on the coup in Niger after the country’s military chiefs defied an ultimatum to restore the elected president.

Two weeks after the coup that toppled Mohamed Bazoum, the ECOWAS said it was seeking a diplomatic solution but has not ruled out using force to resolve the crisis.

Important decisions are expected from the gathering in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, according to a statement from the 15-nation organisation on Tuesday.

Struggling to stem a cascade of coups among its members since 2020, the bloc gave the troops who seized power on July 26 until last Sunday to reinstate Bazoum or face the potential use of force.

But the coup leaders remained defiant and the deadline passed without action.

In their latest show of resistance against international pressure, the military leaders named a new government, according to a decree read out on national television on Thursday.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Nigeria’s Military Strength Under PMB Government

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Nigeria’s military is ranked the fourth in Africa and thirty-fifth in the world with respect to strength.

This is according to data from Global Firepower. According to the data, Nigeria has had constant military growth since the beginning of the Buhari administration.

According to the Global Firepower ranking, the lower the power index of a country, the higher the military capability of such a country. 0.000 is considered a perfect power index.

The country’s military strength index currently stands at 0.5745, which is a slight improvement compared to 2021 when the power index was 0.62. 

The power index is determined by several factors which are grouped under 8 indicators. They include manpower, land system, airpower, naval power, resources, logistical, financial, and geographic.

In the last 7 years, Nigeria has maintained fourth and fifth position in Africa in terms of military strength out of the 54 countries. Egypt on the other hand has maintained the first position, making it the country with the strongest military strength in the period under review. 

Other countries that rank high on the list are Algeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Libya, and Morocco. 

Ranking of Military Strength of selected African Countries

Egypt ranks 12th globally in the 2022 ranking of military strength, while South Africa, Algeria, and Ethiopia, rank 26th, 31st, and 65th  respectively.  

Nigeria’s Military Strength Power Index Under the Buhari Administration

Global Firepower data shows that in 2015, Nigeria’s power index stood at 1.526, the worst in the period under review. However, in 2016, it reduced by a great deal when 0.786 was recorded. 0.575 is the latest power index recorded for Nigeria. 

Current data also reveals that Nigeria has a total military personnel of 215,000 out of which 135,000 are active and 80,000 make up the paramilitary.

So far under the Buhari Administration, the Nigerian Air force has acquired a total of 38 aircraft, the Nigerian navy acquired close to 400 new platforms since 2015 which includes 14 houseboats, 4 helicopters, 4 capital ships, 12 manta class/inshore patrol craft, and 22 fast attack boats among others. 

The president also gave a directive to the Nigerian Navy to establish a naval base in Baga, Borno State, an area prone to criminal activities near the nation’s coast. 

The President also mobilised international support for the fight against Boko Haram from countries like the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Germany, ECOWAS, UN, and AU, which led to the United States agreeing to sell 12 Super Tucano aircrafts to Nigeria in 2017

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail