Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has been appointed the inaugural Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC). The announcement was made on Wednesday by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, at the opening of the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that Touray said Dangote’s selection was driven by his extensive experience in business across West Africa and the wider African continent.
The EBC is an independent platform created by ECOWAS member states to strengthen the private sector, boost regional trade, foster investment and deepen economic integration by bridging the gap between businesses and policymakers across the subregion.
Touray explained that the Council would bring private-sector players together to engage on economic integration and regional development, and to drive dialogue with government agencies and ECOWAS institutions.
He noted growing momentum for intra-regional investment, citing recent events such as the Senegal Invest Forum, the West African Economic Summit in Nigeria, and the “Invest in District Savanes” forum in Côte d’Ivoire.
“This appetite for intra-regional investment underscores the need to mobilise capital within our region to build our community rather than wait for precarious foreign investments,” he said.
“I am confident that with the kind of investments we have seen from the likes of Alhaji Dangote, our regional private sector actors can lead the way in the development of our community if given the right incentives and opportunity.”
The Council of Ministers is also expected to deliberate on several key issues, including the annual work programme and budget of ECOWAS institutions, the financial status of the community, implementation of the community levy protocol, and reports from the Auditor General and the Audit Committee.
In a related development, ECOWAS has commended Nigeria for its swift intervention in aborting an attempted military takeover in the Benin Republic. At the opening of the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at ministerial level on Tuesday in Abuja, Touray said Nigeria’s rapid deployment of support forces was crucial in preventing a coup against President Patrice Talon.
He warned that recent events highlight escalating political risks across the region.
“Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of deep introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community,” he said.
“For the speed and commitment shown, Nigeria deserves a standing ovation. This is what regional solidarity should look like if we are determined to protect democracy.”
