DEFINING A STRATEGIC ROADMAP TO MODERNISE REGIONAL DATA GOVERNANCE

DEFINING A STRATEGIC ROADMAP TO MODERNISE REGIONAL DATA GOVERNANCE

The strategic seminar organised by the Directorate of Research and Statistics (DRS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission concluded on Saturday 24th October 2026 at Zuma Rock, in Niger State, Nigeria, with a series of recommendations.The ECOWAS Commission is called upon to increase the allocation of financial resources to this Directorate. This budgetary increase is deemed essential to reduce the Directorate’s dependence on development partners and to ensure the sustainability of statistical activities in the West African region, given the importance of adequate funding for research and statistical activities.

Also addressed to the Commission, the DRS recommends the development of a regional data governance framework as a prerequisite for any expansion of digital platforms, databases and applications based on artificial intelligence (AI).At a technical and operational level, several recommendations have been made to the DRS. In particular, it must establish a regional technical working group to strengthen coordination mechanisms between itself, ECOWAS Member States, the African Union Statistical Institute (STATAFRIC) and development partners, with a view to improving data exchange and harmonisation. Close collaboration will be required with other ECOWAS institutions, directorates and agencies to digitise and automate the collection, processing and dissemination of data.