Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, ICT, and Digitalisation from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gathered recently in Freetown for their 20th Ministerial session.
This hybrid meeting, held both physically and virtually, represented the culmination of days of technical expert deliberations aimed at advancing regional digital transformation. The session highlighted a growing consensus that digitalization is the primary engine for economic growth and inclusion throughout West Africa.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, H.E. Kenyeh Ballay, opened the session by emphasizing that digital infrastructure is essential for unlocking productivity and improving public services. She noted that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, digital transformation has become a central pillar for economic integration, envisioned to allow entrepreneurs and SMEs to trade across borders as easily as they do locally. Following her remarks, Mr. Lacina Konè of Smart Africa stressed that success depends on regional coordination and policy harmonization, urging the maintenance of momentum gained from the Cotonou Declaration.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Dr. Habib Yaya Bappah, welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude to the government of Sierra Leone for hosting the event. He highlighted the region’s steady progress in modernizing regulatory frameworks and pointed to concrete achievements such as bilateral roaming agreements and the establishment of an Information Sharing and Analysis Centre. Dr. Bappah also noted technical advancements like digital forensics laboratories and upgraded national CSIRTs as vital steps toward a more resilient and secure digital ecosystem.
H.E. Salima Monorma Bah, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, added that the true challenge lies in creating a seamless regional ecosystem where digital payments and services function across borders. She argued that by aligning data protection and cybersecurity policies, the region can better protect its citizens from threats like disinformation. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who chaired the opening ceremony, further set the tone by calling for practical decisions that translate high-level regional commitments into real-world impact for all citizens.
The core of the ministerial discussions involved reviewing policy and regulatory instruments, including updated frameworks for data protection and cybersecurity. Ministers also examined initiatives to strengthen regional infrastructure, such as the creation of a Regional Cybersecurity Coordination Centre and a Regional Internet Exchange Point. These measures are designed to improve connectivity and lower the costs of roaming services across the bloc.
The meeting concluded with a clear emphasis on turning these policies into action by expanding broadband access and fostering innovation ecosystems. The outcomes of the session will be submitted to the relevant statutory bodies for formal adoption, signaling a renewed commitment among Member States to build a secure and inclusive digital future. This 20th session reaffirmed that West Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating, with ECOWAS positioned to harness the full potential of the digital age.
ABJ/APA