The Economic Community of West African States has been granted a total of €81m by the Federal Republic of Germany to help address insecurity, infrastructure deficit, and climate change, among others.
Omar Touray, the President of ECOWAS Commission, made this known in Abuja on Sunday when he received the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz.
Scholz, is on a two-day visit to Nigeria, arrived at the commission in Abuja at exactly 6:40 pm and was received by Touray and the Vice President of the commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja. This is his first visit to Nigeria since assuming office in December 2021.
In his address, Touray said that the total grant support from Germany to the region amounted to €500m in the last 10 years.
He said, “Recently, we concluded an agreement to the tune of €81m that the government of Germany and the people of Germany have decided to grant ECOWAS to support in various areas,”.
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Speaking further, he said “the grant will cover areas such as peaceful and inclusive society, climate and energy transition, sustainable and economic development, health, social protection and population. These are important sectors and we appreciate Germany for their support,”.
On his part, the ECOWAS president identified insecurity and infrastructure deficit bedeviling the region, adding that ECOWAS and Germany are ready to address the challenges.
Touray said “Our regions are closely linked. What happens in one area affects the other and then we appreciate what Germany is doing individually and through the European Union for supporting this region,”. “We are appreciative of the partnership that the region continues to enjoy with Germany and the EU, particularly in the area of peace and security, and strong governance,”.
Story was adapted from Punch.
