Paris, 20 October 2025 — The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration to promote inclusive growth, regional integration, and good governance across West Africa.
The agreement, signed at the OECD headquarters in Paris by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Alieu Touray, marks a significant milestone in international cooperation between the two institutions.
A Framework for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth for ECOWAS
Under the new MoU, the OECD and ECOWAS commit to jointly advancing development priorities built around five key pillars:
- Deepening regional integration and trade — with a focus on supporting implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Strengthening value chains and investment promotion across West Africa.
- Enhancing governance, integrity, and transparency in public institutions and fiscal systems.
- Fostering education, skills, and human capital development, with a focus on empowering women and youth.
- Promoting evidence-based policymaking through data collection, technical cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives.
The MoU emphasizes equality, mutual benefit, and shared responsibility—signaling a shift toward partnership rather than donor-beneficiary dynamics.
“This MoU reflects our shared commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous West Africa,” said Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
“It aligns perfectly with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and will help accelerate our collective efforts toward sustainable development,” he added.
Strengthening Regional and Global Cooperation
The partnership builds on the OECD’s growing engagement with Africa through its OECD–Africa Partnership, which promotes investment, tax transparency, and sustainable economic policies across the continent.
For ECOWAS, the collaboration represents an opportunity to leverage the OECD’s policy expertise and data tools to address structural challenges such as fiscal governance, trade facilitation, and youth unemployment.
According to OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, the agreement “underscores the OECD’s determination to work hand-in-hand with regional partners to translate evidence-based policy into tangible outcomes that improve people’s lives.”
Alignment with Tax and Governance Priorities
While the MoU is broader than taxation alone, its emphasis on good governance, institutional integrity, and transparency has direct implications for tax administration and domestic resource mobilisation in West Africa.
The OECD’s work through the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, and its collaboration with the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), already provides a strong foundation for such regional cooperation.
By linking fiscal governance, policy coherence, and regional integration, the OECD–ECOWAS partnership could indirectly strengthen tax systems, promote fair competition, and improve investment climates across the bloc’s 15 member states.
Implementation and Next Steps
The MoU will be operationalized through joint programmes, technical missions, and policy dialogues. Early areas of focus are expected to include:
- Support for AfCFTA-related reforms and customs facilitation measures;
- Capacity building for fiscal and governance institutions; and
- Research collaborations on investment climate, employment, and digital transformation.
Observers expect the first OECD–ECOWAS Joint Work Plan to be announced in early 2026, detailing measurable targets and timelines.
A Strategic Step for West Africa’s Future
The OECD–ECOWAS partnership marks a pivotal moment in redefining how global and regional institutions cooperate on Africa’s development agenda.
By linking economic governance with human development, and aligning regional priorities with global expertise, the MoU paves the way for a new model of equitable cooperation—one rooted in shared accountability and long-term sustainability.
As West Africa continues to navigate economic shocks, climate vulnerabilities, and governance challenges, this agreement may well become a cornerstone for more resilient, transparent, and integrated regional development.
About ECOWAS
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a 15-member regional bloc established in 1975 to promote economic integration and collective self-sufficiency among its members.
About the OECD
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Paris that promotes policies to improve economic and social well-being worldwide.
