Dangote named inaugural chairman of ECOWAS business council

Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, has been unveiled as the first Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC). The announcement was made on Wednesday by Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, during the opening of the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.

Touray explained that Dangote was selected because of his long-standing leadership in West African business and his significant investment footprint across the continent. He noted that the region needs strong private-sector leaders with the capacity to influence the future of regional trade.

The ECOWAS Business Council is an independent private-sector body established by member states to enhance intra-regional trade, strengthen investment flows, and deepen engagement between policymakers and business leaders. It is expected to serve as the primary link between ECOWAS institutions and economic stakeholders.

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Highlighting the importance of the new council, Touray said West Africa is already showing increased interest in cross-border investment.

“This growing appetite for regional investment shows why we must mobilize capital within our region rather than rely on unpredictable foreign financing,” he said.

He added that with the scale of investments made by figures such as Dangote, the West African private sector can drive the region’s development when provided with the right incentives.

Touray also referenced several major economic forums held this year, including Senegal Invest, the West African Economic Summit in Nigeria, and the Invest in District Savanes forum in Côte d’Ivoire, describing them as signs that businesses are prepared to play a larger role in regional growth.

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In a related development, ECOWAS praised Nigeria for its swift intervention in preventing the recent attempted coup in the Benin Republic. Touray described Nigeria’s rapid response as a strong display of regional solidarity and a clear affirmation of West Africa’s commitment to protecting democratic governance.

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