Emmanuel OchayiThe government of Germany has pledged €81 million to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The funding, aimed at addressing the region’s pressing concerns such as insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and climate change, was revealed by Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, during a press conference held on Sunday in Abuja.
The announcement came as Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Federal Republic of Germany arrived in Nigeria on a two-day diplomatic mission, signaling a renewed commitment to bolster the partnership between Germany and the Sub-Saharan region.
The Chancellor, who has long been a staunch supporter of ECOWAS, expressed the desire to focus on electricity, healthcare, peace, and security in this exciting new phase of collaboration.
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“We have enjoyed the partnership in the areas of support for the regions. Our mission in this is to improve the ECOWAS countries and its region. Our cooperation was felt during the pandemic, and we plan further to deepen our relationship with ECOWAS,” Chancellor Scholz said, setting the tone for the bilateral discussions.
With an ominous backdrop of six coups in West Africa since 2020, including the recent coup in Niger, Chancellor Scholz emphasized the importance of peace and security in the region. He declared, “We stand with not accepting coups, and that is why we want to deepen our cooperation.”
Dr. Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, mirrored Chancellor Scholz’s enthusiasm for the strengthened partnership, highlighting the commitment Germany had made to the region.
“Recently, we have concluded an agreement to the tune of €81 million that the government of Germany has decided to grant the ECOWAS to support us in various areas. Those are vital areas, as I have indicated, they cover areas such as peaceful and inclusive society, climate, energy transition, sustainable economic development, health, social protection, and population. These are important sectors, and we appreciate the support that you have given to us in these areas,” President Touray stated.
Furthermore, the discussions delved into the challenges plaguing the region, including insecurity, infrastructure deficits, and social development challenges, highlighting the interconnectedness of these issues across the region.
This development underscores Germany’s commitment to ECOWAS and its member states. The €81 million pledge brings Germany’s support to ECOWAS to close to €500 million over several years, solidifying their position as a steadfast partner in the region’s development.
The Chancellor’s visit has generated buzz, with leaders and citizens alike looking forward to the positive impacts this financial injection will have on West Africa’s future. As Germany’s support reaches new heights, it has created a sense of optimism and anticipation across the region.
Chancellor Scholz’s visit also included meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and various stakeholders in the Nigerian business community. He is set to continue his diplomatic mission in Lagos, where he will open the Nigeria-German Business Conference and engage with representatives of Nigerian Civil Society and start-up entrepreneurs.
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