ECOWAS asks Gambia to help resolve ECO governance
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Senego
ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture Dehpue Yenpea Zuo has asked Gambian officials to help reach agreement on the governance of the future ECO currency. Discussions concern the monetary institution’s headquarters, leadership and management of funds, while a 2027 launch is envisaged, lactuacho reports.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dehpue Yenpea Zuo, has asked Gambian leaders to support efforts to reach a consensual agreement on the governance of the ECO single currency, lactuacho reports. Discussions concern, in particular, the location of the monetary institution’s headquarters, its leadership, management of funds and the allocation of positions among member states.
The ECO’s launch is envisaged for 2027. Implementation is expected to begin with countries that meet the convergence criteria, while others would receive support to join the system later. Zuo met Gambian officials in Banjul on the sidelines of an ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority conference, held from 15 to 18 September 2026.
The talks also addressed obstacles to cross-border trade, border security and the movement of people and goods. Imports account for between 50 and 60% of food consumed in the Community, according to figures cited during the discussions. The Commission raised measures to facilitate smallholders’ access to land and financing, including with the support of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development.
Officials also discussed infrastructure to accommodate the headquarters of the Regional Competition Authority in The Gambia. The Gambian government has allocated land and finalised plans for the facilities, according to lactuacho.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
