The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially launched its 50th anniversary celebrations on Monday in Praia, Cabo Verde, with a ceremony attended by high-ranking dignitaries and stakeholders from across the region.
Among those present were Cabo Verde’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mrs. Miryan Vieira; the Acting ECOWAS Resident Representative and Executive Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), Mr. Francis Sempore; as well as representatives from the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (Zone G), the diplomatic corps, local municipalities, and ECOWAS staff based in Cabo Verde.
In his keynote address, Mr. Sempore described the golden jubilee as a significant milestone for the regional bloc. “This 50th anniversary is not only a time for celebration but also an opportunity for deep reflection,” he said. “As we commemorate five decades of unity and cooperation, we must renew our commitment to regional integration and collaboration for a stronger and more united West Africa.”
Mrs. Vieira praised ECOWAS’s contributions to Cabo Verde and highlighted the impact of ECREEE, calling it “a center of excellence and a beacon in the promotion of sustainable energy across the region.” She also emphasized the need for a people-centered approach to development, encouraging ECOWAS to prioritize human development and inclusivity moving forward.
The golden jubilee celebration will continue throughout the year with a wide range of activities at both national and regional levels. These include youth engagement programs in schools, a high-level conference on sustainable energy, and a regional forum on maritime security — all aimed at reinforcing ECOWAS’s core values of peace, development, and integration.
The launch was preceded by a press conference at the ECOWAS office in Praia, where key speakers — including Political Adviser Mrs. Kelly Lopes, Captain Seydina Djibril Mbengue, and Mr. Sempore — briefed the media on the importance of the anniversary and outlined the planned commemorative events.
As ECOWAS enters its sixth decade, the 50th anniversary celebrations aim to strengthen citizen engagement, highlight shared achievements, and inspire West Africa’s youth to play an active role in shaping the region’s future.
