The ECOWAS Commission has begun internal consultations ahead of the formal launch of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC), expected later in 2025.
The Council is set to become the top decision-making body for the private sector within the West African region.
At a meeting held on July 29, officials from the Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture reviewed the approved institutional framework and mapped out the next steps.
The EBC is intended to drive regional economic development, attract investment, and enhance private sector competitiveness across ECOWAS member states.
All necessary steps to establish the EBC have been completed, including the creation of a committee to define membership standards. A strict selection process is ongoing to identify suitable business entities for inclusion.
The involvement of top ECOWAS directors and departmental representatives underscores the strategic importance the organization places on this initiative, which has already received backing from the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
