The Economic Community of West African States has named leading industrialist Aliko Dangote as the inaugural Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council, signalling a renewed bid to energise private sector participation in regional development.
The announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday by ECOWAS President, Dr Omar Touray, during the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers. The council, conceived as an independent advisory platform, is designed to strengthen cross-border trade, scale up investment flows and accelerate economic integration across the sub-region.
Touray said Dangote’s appointment reflects confidence in his expansive business footprint and his longstanding role in advancing industrialisation on the continent. He noted that stronger private sector engagement had become essential as West African economies seek alternatives to volatile foreign capital.
He pointed to the rise of home-grown investment initiatives such as the Senegal Invest Forum, the West African Economic Summit in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire’s ‘Invest in District Savanes’ platform—events he said demonstrate a growing appetite for regional capital mobilisation.
According to him, the new council will serve as a bridge between policymakers and business leaders, promoting dialogue, forging partnerships and aligning regional development with investor interests.
Touray expressed optimism that, with the right incentives, leading industrial players such as Dangote could help reposition the region’s economy and drive long-term competitiveness.
