Accra hosts ECOWAS-China forum

ECOWAS-China Forum from 20-21 March, during which private sector representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet to develop partnerships in a wide variety of sectors including power, mining, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and technology.

Infrastructural development is also up for discussion, with key areas being roads, railways, housing, construction and transport. The forum will attempt to maximise Chinese investment into ECOWAS countries; attract funds for developing public infrastructure; promote trade between China and ECOWAS countries; and extend the global reach of financial institutions in west Africa.

Representatives from west African governments and institutions will be present, as will officials from six prominent Chinese governmental and trade institutions.

The mission of ECOWAS – which was founded in 1975 – is to promote economic integration between its 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
China hosted the inaugural ECOWAS-China Forum in 2008.