Germany pledges €49m to ECOWAS for security, development
Germany pledges €49m to ECOWAS for security, development
Germany and the Economic Community of West African States have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership with a renewed commitment to deepen cooperation in peace, security, governance, health, and sustainable development across the sub-region.
As part of the renewed partnership, the German government has pledged €49 million (₦82 billion) to support ECOWAS in strengthening peace and security, promoting economic development, and improving health outcomes in West Africa.
The funding commitment followed a successful bilateral negotiation on development cooperation held at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja on November 4 and 5, 2025.
A statement issued by the German Embassy in Abuja on Friday said the high-level meeting brought together representatives from both sides, including the Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Annett Günther, and the Director for Africa at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Christoph Rauh.
The ECOWAS delegation was led by the organisation’s Vice President, Damtien Tchintchibidja, who welcomed the German team and reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to regional integration and resilience amid political, economic, and security challenges.
According to the statement, discussions during the meeting focused on key areas of cooperation forming the foundation of the German-ECOWAS partnership — including peaceful and inclusive societies, regional economic integration, climate and energy transition, and public health.
Germany is also supporting ECOWAS initiatives in institutional reform, regional trade, climate-friendly energy solutions, and pandemic prevention and response.
The statement added, “Both sides reaffirmed their joint resolve to address regional challenges such as political transitions, economic pressures, and institutional reforms through dialogue, technical assistance, and inclusive engagement with citizens.”
The negotiations concluded with a joint affirmation of commitment to ECOWAS Vision 2050 and Germany’s Africa Strategy, emphasising shared priorities for a prosperous and integrated West Africa and African-led solutions for peace and stability.
Speaking during the meeting, Tchintchibidja commended Germany for its consistency and long-standing support to ECOWAS.
She said, “Following the last negotiations in September 2023 in Berlin and subsequent consultations in 2024 in Abuja, we are gathered here to take stock of our achievements and define priorities for the next two years. Through equitable partnerships, we are working towards deeper integration and enhanced peace and security, with the ultimate goal of building an inclusive, resilient, and prosperous region.”
In her remarks, Günther reiterated Germany’s enduring support for West Africa’s stability and growth, describing ECOWAS as a “trusted partner” bound by shared values of peace, democracy, and inclusive development.
She said, “Our cooperation is not only about financial support or projects but also about empowering institutions, strengthening democracy, and improving the lives of people across the region.”
Also speaking, Rauh highlighted that the cooperation between Germany and ECOWAS is guided by principles of peace, regional integration, and inclusivity.
Germany has been a partner of ECOWAS since 1985 and currently supports bilateral technical and financial cooperation projects worth approximately €494 million.
For the 2025–2026 period, Germany’s new commitment of €49 million includes €32.8 million for financial cooperation projects and €16.2 million for technical cooperation across priority sectors.
Germany continues to provide support through its Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and implementing agencies — GIZ, KfW, and PTB.
Over the decades, the partnership has contributed to regional peacebuilding, governance reforms, climate resilience, trade facilitation, pandemic control, and institutional capacity development within ECOWAS member states.
