The Federal Republic of Germany has extended a financial aid package of €81 million to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aimed at addressing issues such as insecurity, infrastructure deficiencies, and climate change.
Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, announced this development during a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, when he received Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Chancellor Scholz’s arrival at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja was punctual at 6:40 pm and he was welcomed by Touray and the Vice President of the commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja.
The Chancellor’s visit to Nigeria spans two days, and he expressed, “This is my first visit to Nigeria since assuming office in December 2021.” Touray highlighted that Germany’s cumulative grant support to the region has reached €500 million over the past decade.
He said, “Recently, we concluded an agreement to the tune of €81million that the government of Germany and the people of Germany have decided to grant ECOWAS to support in various areas.
“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.
“The recent agreement has brought Germany’s support over a decade close to €500 million.”
The commission’s president however identified insecurity and infrastructure deficit bedeviling the region, adding that ECOWAS and Germany are ready to address the challenges.
Touray said “Your Excellency during our discussion, we talked about the challenges that this region is facing such as insecurity, and infrastructure deficit. We have agreed to continue working together.
“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.”
In his remarks, Scholz listed electricity, health, peace, and security as areas of partnership with ECOWAS.
He said “There are strategies that have been put in place to strengthen the partnership between Germany and ECOWAS.
“The situation of peace of very important. Times are turbulent and we are in full support of peace. We are not going to accept a military coup in the ECOWAS region.”
