ECOWAS, EU launch project to strengthen West Africa regional integration 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) have jointly launched a project aimed at enhancing regional integration and facilitating the free movement of people and goods within the ECOWAS sub-region.

Named the second phase of the Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa (FMM West Africa II), the project is designed to improve migration governance and foster economic integration across West Africa.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the ECOWAS Commission to use migration as a tool to promote economic growth, security, and social cohesion within the region.

Funded by the European Union, FMM II will be executed by a consortium of key migration organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The upcoming phase of the project will focus on working with ECOWAS Member States to align national policies with regional frameworks, build institutional capacity, and promote safe, well-regulated migration across West Africa.

The launch event attracted experts from ECOWAS member countries, development partners, and other stakeholders involved in migration and regional integration.

Regional integration 

Speaking at the launch of the event in Abuja , Nigeria, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission reiterated the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission to regional mobility , economic cooperation and integration.

“Migration has always been a fundamental part of West Africa’s history and development.
FMM II will reinforce the frameworks that enable people to move safely and contribute to economic prosperity. Today, we take a decisive step toward making migration a source of opportunity, not a challenge,” he said.

The Director  of Free Movement of Persons and Migration at the ECOWAS Commission, Massandje Touré-Litse, said the FMMII would help enhance legal frameworks on migration , improve border management and support ECOWAS Member States in the implementation of polices that that facilitate free movement while ensuring security and social stability.

For her part , the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, expressed the EU’s commitment in supporting ECOWAS work on migration and free movement of persons in the sub region.

“The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting ECOWAS in building a robust migration system. Through FMM II, we are strengthening institutional frameworks to ensure migration is safe, structured, and beneficial for all,” she said.