President Julius Maada Bio's Address on ECOWAS Progress at the AU Meeting

At the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU) in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, serving as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, presented a detailed progress report on regional integration initiatives within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Bio's address focused on three key thematic areas: Governance, Peace and Security; Economic Integration; and Inclusive and Sustainable Development.

In the area of Governance, Peace and Security, he emphasized ECOWAS's proactive efforts in managing political transitions and promoting democratic values. He highlighted the urgent need to mitigate security threats, particularly terrorism, through strategic peacebuilding missions and the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force.

With respect to Economic Integration, President Bio underscored the expansion of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), significant improvements in customs and tax systems, and the establishment of harmonized industrial standards, all in alignment with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President Bio also referenced ECOWAS’s initiatives for women affected by fistula, youth volunteer programs, and renewable energy projects. He highlighted major infrastructure developments such as the Abidjan–Lagos and Praia–Dakar–Abidjan corridors, and the Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline, all contributing to the inclusivity and development goals pursued.