ECOWAS Empowers Women to Drive Regional Growth at 2025.....

Samuel Mobolaji

As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commemorated 50 years of regional integration, the Commission spotlighted women’s empowerment as a strategic pillar for sustainable economic growth with a landmark retreat recently concluded at Zuma Rock, Niger State.

Organised by the Directorate of Human Resources in collaboration with the ECOWAS Amazon Executives, the retreat, delayed from March for broader cultural inclusion, was more than a symbolic observance of International Women’s Day. It served as a bold step in recognising women as essential contributors to the region’s economic transformation under ECOWAS Vision 2050.

With women representing a significant share of West Africa’s informal and formal economies, the two-day retreat focused on unlocking their potential through leadership training, strategic dialogue, and practical empowerment tools. The event’s timing—coinciding with ECOWAS Day on 28 May—reinforced the connection between gender equity and regional prosperity.

Key sessions featured renowned development expert Dr. Otive Igbuzor, who challenged participants to break through structural barriers and embrace purpose-driven leadership. His training modules, Empowering Women for Leadership and Promoting Women’s Financial Independence, highlighted how gender-inclusive leadership can accelerate economic diversification, innovation, and resilience across West Africa.

Leadership strategist and executive search expert Mrs. Enife Atobiloye, Partner at TRANSEARCH, shared insights on how strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and authenticity can position women for high-impact roles in both public and private sectors, critical for economic transformation.

The retreat also included interactive team-building activities, experience-sharing sessions, and a quiz competition—all designed to deepen participants’ confidence, solidarity, and strategic insight. Facilitated by the Directorate of Human Resources, the sessions underscored ECOWAS’s commitment to building a workforce capable of driving inclusive development.

In her closing remarks, ECOWAS Amazon President Madame Marième Sy urged participants to define success beyond traditional metrics and lead boldly in shaping the region’s future. She emphasised that true economic integration must prioritise women’s full participation in leadership, enterprise, and policymaking.

By equipping its female workforce with tools for leadership and financial autonomy, ECOWAS reaffirmed that gender empowerment is not only a social goal but a critical investment in West Africa’s economic future.