The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has reaffirmed the bloc’s alignment with continental infrastructure goals following high-level talks with the African Union Commission.

The meeting, held on Wednesday (18 March 2026) in Abuja, brought together Dr Touray and the African Union’s Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Lerato Mataboge, with a sharp focus on accelerating infrastructure development as a driver of intra-African trade.

At the heart of the discussions was growing pressure on regional blocs to translate long-standing cooperation into tangible economic gains, particularly through road networks linking West African economies.

Dr Touray underscored ECOWAS’ commitment to working under the broader continental framework led by the African Union, describing the partnership as critical to advancing integration.

“We are pleased to be working under the leadership of the continental organisation,” he said, signalling ECOWAS’ continued deference to AU-led development strategies.

Mataboge, however, placed the spotlight squarely on delivery, praising ECOWAS’ progress in road infrastructure while stressing the urgency of translating such gains into real economic movement across borders.

She argued that improved road networks must now serve as catalysts for faster intra-African trade, smoother movement of goods and people, and measurable improvements in livelihoods across the continent.

The meeting comes amid renewed continental momentum to operationalise trade frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with infrastructure deficits still cited as a major bottleneck.