The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, establishing the principles and framework for strengthened cooperation between the two organisations. The MoU, based on equality and mutual benefit, aims to support inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth across West Africa.
The MoU was signed by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and provides a framework for cooperation across a wide range of areas, including:
• promoting regional economic integration and supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA);
• facilitating trade and investment and strengthening value chains;
• fostering economic resilience, good governance, and integrity;
• enhancing food security, education, and skills development, including the empowerment of women and youth; and
• promoting technical cooperation, capacity building, and data development.
The agreement underscores both institutions’ shared ambition to deepen policy dialogue, exchange good practices, and leverage their respective expertise to address regional challenges and deliver sustainable development outcomes across West Africa.
This press release was issued by the OECD: OECD and ECOWAS sign a Memorandum of Understanding
