ECOWAS convenes automotive industry forum and digital integration training in Abuja

From 4–6 August 2026 the ECOWAS Commission hosted a Regional Automotive Industry Development Forum in Abuja, Nigeria. The three‑day meeting reviewed progress on the Regional Automotive Policy Framework, which aims to raise local vehicle assembly to 50,000 units per year by 2028. Delegates noted that existing capacity exceeds 100,000 vehicles annually but utilisation is below 10 %, while the region imports over 450,000 used cars each year. Senior policymakers, including Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan ENOH, and ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs Dr Kalilou SYLLA, discussed constraints and actions to boost production, job creation and regional trade.

Simultaneously, from 4–7 August 2026 ECOWAS began a four‑day capacity‑building training on the African Regional Integration Synthesized Index Digital Platform at its headquarters in Abuja. The program, part of an African Union initiative, aims to improve data‑harmonisation and evidence‑based monitoring of regional integration across political, economic, infrastructure and social pillars. Speakers such as Mr Madji Gasper, Programme Officer for Data Harmonisation, and Professor Felix Fofana N’ZUE highlighted the role of digital transformation in supporting Agenda 2063. Participants from various ECOWAS directorates and partner organisations received instruction on the updated methodology and data‑management tools.