Abuja: The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Private Sector and Industry, in collaboration with the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and with technical support from Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), convened a one-day Consultative Meeting with the Confederation of Private Sector Organisations of Tourism in ECOWAS (COPITOUR).According to African Press Organization, the meeting, which occurred on 29 July 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, coincided with the 9th Nigeria Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE 2026). It brought together presidents of National Tourism Associations, Directors General of Tourism Development Agencies, and key stakeholders from across West Africa. Representatives from Ghana, Guinea, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Nigeria attended as delegates of COPITOUR.Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Principal Programme Officer Ms. Anna Wadda, opened the meeting. He reiterated the ECOWAS Commission's commitment to strengthening Regional Business Associations as strategic partners in regional integration, highlighting tourism's role in promoting peace, cultural understanding, employment, investment, and economic prosperity in West Africa.The Directorate of Private Sector and Industry presented a new Framework for the Recognition of Regional Business Associations to COPITOUR. This framework establishes minimum standards for recognition and accreditation of RBAs, built on seven pillars that provide a performance-based accreditation mechanism. COPITOUR delegates unanimously adopted the framework, seeing it as a strategic tool to enhance governance, transparency, accountability, and performance of RBAs in the region.Chief John Umoren, representing the ECOWAS Commission's Private Sector and Industry directorate, emphasized tourism's broad value chain beyond hotels and travel agencies, noting significant economic development op portunities. He urged COPITOUR to recognize sports tourism and other creative sectors as business opportunities, suggesting the expansion of scope to include sports as a business.The meeting concluded successfully, with delegates expressing optimism about a strengthened ECOWAS-COPITOUR collaboration and partnership.
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