ECOWAS e-commerce meeting and eTrade for women joint workshop

[Video message]

Dear representatives of ECOWAS Member States,
Dear representatives of the ECOWAS Commission,
Dear members of the eTrade for Women community,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to address you today, especially in this milestone year for the Economic Community of West African States. Let me begin by extending my warmest congratulations to ECOWAS on your remarkable 50th anniversary.

This golden jubilee is a testament to five decades of vision and dedication to building a better, more integrated West Africa. It reflects your deep commitment to the values and aspirations of Vision 2050 – a bold and inspiring roadmap for a region that is peaceful, prosperous and fully integrated.

At the heart of Vision 2050 is a focus on transformation, inclusiveness and sustainable development – principles that are more vital than ever in today’s rapidly evolving digital age. Digital transformation is not just a tool – it is a powerful catalyst that can help unleash the immense potential of your region marked by a young and dynamic population.

In this context, the ECOWAS Regional E-commerce Strategy 2023–2027 emerges as a key initiative. Developed with the support of UNCTAD and officially adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in 2023, this forward-looking strategy represents a bold step toward harnessing the power of digitalization to drive inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. It is, in fact, the first regional e-commerce strategy supported by UNCTAD – a proud milestone for all of us.

Today’s gathering is a timely opportunity to take stock of our progress and reaffirm our collective commitment to moving the strategy ahead.

At the core of the strategy lies the strengthening of institutions. The creation of the E-commerce Regional Committee, uniting trade ministries across ECOWAS Member States, is a cornerstone achievement. This committee not only fosters regional cooperation but also enhances the region’s capacity to engage effectively in the African Continental Free Trade Area – a market of over 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP that could reach $3.4 trillion.

UNCTAD is deeply honoured to be a strategic partner to ECOWAS and its Member States in this transformative journey. Through our eTrade Implementation Support Mechanism, we are helping build institutional capacities and ensure effective implementation of the strategy. Our eTrade Reform Tracker plays a key role in promoting coordination, transparency, and stakeholder engagement in monitoring and evaluating e-commerce initiatives.

Importantly, the strategy places a strong and much-needed focus on inclusive participation, particularly the economic empowerment of women in digital trade. As outlined in Chapter 4.3, enabling the meaningful inclusion of women entrepreneurs is not just desirable – it is essential for unlocking the full potential of the digital economy.

This is where the UNCTAD-led eTrade for Women initiative can make an important contribution through connecting, equipping, and amplifying the voices of women digital entrepreneurs across the region.

Today’s dedicated workshop – designed to foster public-private dialogue on unlocking opportunities for women – is a shining example of our shared commitment.

The ECOWAS Commission’s digital vision also aligns closely with the Global Digital Compact adopted at the UN Summit of the Future last year, which champions an inclusive, fair, and secure digital future for all.

Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our dedication to a people-centred, inclusive, and sustainable digital future for West Africa.

Together, let us ensure that e-commerce becomes a powerful engine of prosperity, innovation, and unity across the region.

Congratulations once again on 50 years of cooperation, and to an even brighter digital future ahead!

Thank you.