Recognizing the vital role of tourism in fostering regional integration and economic development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched an extensive capacity-building program in Banjul, The Gambia.
The initiative aims to empower stakeholders with essential tools to improve tourism standards, attract investment, and enhance cooperation across all 12 ECOWAS Member States.
This program is in line with the approval granted by His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasizing the importance of strengthening tourism in the region through skill development and policy alignment.
Speaking at the opening session on behalf of H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, ECOWAS Director of Private Sector, Dr. Tony Elumelu, highlighted the need for a harmonized approach to tourism development.
“Tourism is central to our integration agenda. This program is designed not just to share knowledge but to ensure the implementation of policies that will increase investment, create jobs, and enhance the sector’s contribution to the economy.”
Dr. Tony Elumelu
He further noted that the initiative is being carried out under the leadership of Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Touré-Litsé, as part of ECOWAS’ broader commitment to regional cooperation and policy harmonization.
Dr. Elumelu also emphasized the significance of the ECOTOR 1929 policy, which provides a strategic framework for increasing visitor numbers, facilitating mobility, and standardizing service quality across the region.
“A five-star hotel in Togo, Nigeria, or The Gambia should meet the same standards. Standardization builds trust and attracts investment.”
Dr. Tony Elumelu
Tourism Consultant, Sheikh Tijang Nyang, underlined the necessity of ensuring that all ECOWAS Member States align with the regional tourism strategy.
“For tourism to thrive, stakeholders must fully understand and apply ECOWAS’ tourism policies effectively. This program is a crucial step toward that goal.”
Sheikh Tijang Nyang
Experts in the field, including Dr. Adam Abar and Dr. Momodou Bar, echoed the importance of execution, stressing that policies alone are insufficient without action.
As the program unfolds, participants will engage in technical sessions, policy discussions, and hands-on workshops focusing on crucial areas such as hotel classification, regulatory frameworks, and best practices in tourism management.
The training will also address employment opportunities for youth and women in the tourism sector, reinforcing ECOWAS’ commitment to inclusive economic growth.
The initiative will conclude with a final assessment and strategic planning session, during which participants will outline key takeaways, define actionable goals, and establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating tourism policy implementation at both national and regional levels. This will ensure that the program’s insights are effectively translated into measurable progress.
ECOWAS Experts Review IT Policies in Abidjan
Meanwhile, in a separate development, ECOWAS experts have convened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to review and validate the organization’s latest IT policies and procedures.
The primary objective of the workshop is to ensure that ECOWAS’ IT policies align with global best practices and meet the evolving demands of an increasingly digital world. These policies cover critical areas such as the acceptable use of IT resources, security protocols, data management, compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks, and employee responsibilities.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, emphasized the significance of this workshop.
“This meeting also marks an essential step towards bringing ECOWAS procedures into line with the evaluation criteria of the European Union’s pillars, strengthening partnerships, and thus promoting program funding opportunities.”
Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma
Attendees will assess the draft data protection policy and new standard operating procedures to enhance ECOWAS’ digital security and operational efficiency.
By aligning these IT policies with international standards, ECOWAS seeks to improve digital governance, streamline operations, and enhance cybersecurity, ensuring that its institutions remain adaptable to technological advancements while safeguarding sensitive data.
As such, both the tourism capacity-building program and the IT policy review reflect ECOWAS’ broader vision of regional cooperation, economic integration, and technological advancement, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development across West Africa.
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