ECOWAS Moves To Unlock More International Financing For West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is intensifying efforts to attract greater financial and development support for the region through stronger engagement with international financial institutions.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, led a high-level delegation to the headquarters of the Bretton Woods Institutions in Washington, D.C., where he held talks with senior officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The engagements took place on September 28 and 29, 2026, on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, with discussions centred on regional development, economic integration and sustainable growth.

Diop met with the IMF Executive Director for the West Africa Constituency, Professor Ouattara Wautabouna, and the Director of the IMF African Department, Zeine Zeidane.

The meetings explored avenues for expanding cooperation between ECOWAS and international financial institutions, particularly in mobilising investment and development resources for member states.

The ECOWAS Commission President was accompanied by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Francess Alghali; Director of External Relations, Jerome Boa; Director of Political Affairs, Babatunde Afolabi; and officials of the ECOWAS Representation to the United Nations.

The regional bloc said the discussions were part of efforts to build strategic partnerships capable of supporting its development priorities and strengthening economic integration across West Africa.

ECOWAS also emphasised the importance of sustained international partnerships in advancing regional development, peace and stability at a time when member states require greater access to investment and development financing.

The Washington engagement forms part of the Commission’s broader diplomatic drive to mobilise resources and deepen cooperation with global institutions in pursuit of its regional development agenda.