ECOWAS announces five strategic meetings in Abidjan to boost intra-regional trade and free movement
via Abidjan.net10 min read
The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS will host five strategic meetings in Abidjan from April 28 to May 1, 2026, to advance regional integration objectives. These meetings aim to create a "coherent and synergistic" platform to strengthen intra-regional trade and the free movement of goods and people. The announcement was made during a press conference on April 27, 2026, at the ECOWAS Resident Representation in C么te d'Ivoire. The official launch ceremony for these meetings is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at the Sofitel Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan. The five thematic meetings include: the technical committee meeting of the ECOWAS common investment market April 27-30, 2026, a technical review and harmonization workshop for consumer protection regulations and procedures April 27 to May 1, 2026, a meeting on building the ECOWAS common market April 28-29, 2026, technical and ministerial meetings on plastic waste management April 28-30, 2026, and a meeting of ministers responsible for immigration and border management April 29, 2026. Officials such as Albert Boateng, ECOWAS Director of Free Movement of Persons, Migration and Tourism, and Kolawole Sofola, ECOWAS Director of Trade, co-hosted the press conference. Albert Boateng stated that the objective is to promote investments, strengthen food security, and facilitate the free movement of people and goods, while also addressing sustainable development in member states and aligning with the African Union's Agenda 2063. Ber
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