ECOWAS directors meet in Lagos to align 2027–2029 expenditure plans

Directors of institutions and agencies of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are meeting in Lagos, Nigeria, to align their medium-term expenditure plans with the strategic priorities of the Community’s new management.

The meeting, which runs from September 21 to 30, is focused on harmonising and finalising the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2027–2029.

The exercise will also pave the way for the review and approval of the ECOWAS 2027 Programme Budget.

The retreat was opened on Monday, September 21, by the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Oluwatosin Anthony Ogunjimi, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop.

Mr Ogunjimi said the strategic priorities of the new management were not intended to replace ECOWAS Vision 2050 or the Community Strategic Framework 2023–2027.

Rather, he said, the priorities are designed to sharpen the Community’s focus on key results that require accelerated action during the 2026–2030 period.

The Vice-President described 2026 as a year of transition and strategic reprioritisation, with 2027 expected to mark the first full year of implementation of the new management’s priorities.

The retreat is expected to produce a more aligned and prioritised expenditure framework for the 2027–2029 period.

It will also seek to establish a realistic 2027 work plan supported by feasible procurement and disbursement plans, clear performance indicators and targets, and stronger accountability mechanisms.

ECOWAS said the exercise should further strengthen collaboration among its institutions and agencies and establish an agreed framework for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of programmes.