The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, as the inaugural Chairperson of the newly established ECOWAS Business Council.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, made the announcement on Wednesday during the opening of the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.
Touray said the Business Council was created to strengthen private sector participation in regional integration efforts.
He noted that Dangote’s vast business experience across West Africa and the continent makes him the ideal pioneer chairman.
According to him, the Council will serve as a platform to engage private sector leaders in dialogue with governments and ECOWAS institutions, aimed at boosting investment and driving economic development across the region.
At the opening session, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Chair of the Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, urged member states to deepen cooperation in tackling mounting regional challenges, including insecurity, economic instability, and threats to democracy.
Over the three-day meeting ending Friday, ministers are expected to review key documents such as the annual work programme and budget of ECOWAS institutions, the Community’s financial status, the implementation of the Community levy, reports from the Auditor General, and updates on monetary integration and resource mobilisation for the regional counter-terrorism force.
