ECOWAS Launches Capacity-Building Program to Boost Regional Tourism
Recognizing the vital role of tourism in driving regional integration and economic development, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has inaugurated a multi-day capacity-building program in Banjul, The Gambia. The initiative, launched on March 17, 2025, is designed to empower stakeholders from all 12 ECOWAS Member States with the tools and strategies needed to elevate tourism standards, attract investment, and foster regional cooperation.
This program, approved by His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, is being implemented under the leadership of Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Touré-Litsé. It aligns with ECOWAS' broader commitment to enhancing regional collaboration and harmonizing policies to position tourism as a cornerstone for economic growth.
Opening the session on behalf of Dr. Touray, Dr. Tony Elumelu, ECOWAS Director of Private Sector, emphasized the need for a unified approach to tourism development. “Tourism is central to our integration agenda. This program is designed not just to share knowledge but to ensure the implementation of policies that will increase investment, create jobs, and enhance the sector’s contribution to the economy,” he stated. Dr. Elumelu also stressed the importance of the ECOTOR 1929 policy, a framework aimed at increasing visitor numbers, ensuring mobility, and standardizing service quality across the region. “A five-star hotel in Togo, Nigeria, or The Gambia should meet the same standards. Standardization builds trust and attracts investment,” he noted.
Tourism Consultant Sheikh Tijang Nyang highlighted the necessity of alignment among Member States to ensure the success of the regional tourism strategy. “For tourism to thrive, stakeholders must fully understand and apply ECOWAS’ tourism policies effectively. This program is a crucial step toward that goal,” he remarked. Similarly, tourism experts Dr. Adam Abar and Dr. Momodou Bar underscored the importance of execution, stating, “Policies alone do not drive change—implementation does. This program is about moving from strategy to action to create a truly competitive tourism sector.”
The program features a series of technical sessions, policy discussions, and practical workshops. Key focus areas include hotel classification, regulatory frameworks, and best practices in tourism management. In addition, the initiative addresses critical issues such as youth and women’s employment in tourism, underscoring ECOWAS’ dedication to inclusive development. Through these interactive sessions, participants will gain actionable insights and tools to drive change in their respective countries.
By the program’s conclusion, participants will engage in a final strategy session to outline key takeaways, define concrete action points, and establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating tourism policy implementation at both national and regional levels. This structured approach ensures that the insights gained during the training translate into measurable outcomes that support ECOWAS Vision 2050, which emphasizes economic integration and sustainable growth.
For African travel agents, this initiative represents a significant step forward in creating a more unified and competitive tourism sector in West Africa. Standardization in hotel classifications and service quality will provide travelers with consistent and reliable experiences across the region, enhancing trust and boosting tourism traffic. Additionally, the program’s focus on regulatory frameworks and investment attraction will pave the way for new opportunities, enabling travel professionals to offer clients a wider range of destinations and experiences backed by high-quality services.
With the 2024 Tourism Performance Report showing steady growth in visitor arrivals across West Africa, this initiative comes at a pivotal time for the region. Enhanced regional collaboration and policy harmonization will not only improve the tourism sector’s competitiveness but also contribute to job creation, economic diversification, and sustainable development.
As ECOWAS continues to engage with stakeholders throughout the program, its commitment to actionable outcomes remains clear. By fostering regional cooperation and prioritizing tourism as a key economic pillar, this capacity-building initiative is poised to unlock the full potential of West African tourism, transforming the region into a globally recognized destination for leisure, business, and cultural experiences.
