ECOWAS Champions Regional Trade and Innovation at Landmark Lagos International Fair
Marking a significant milestone in West Africa’s economic integration, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is taking center stage at the 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair. Through its flagship ECOWAS Trade and Investment Forum & Exhibition (ECOTIFE), the regional body is reinforcing its commitment to fostering cross-border commerce, innovation, and sustainable investment across the region.
A Gathering of Regional Leaders
The event’s opening ceremony on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Lagos’s Tafawa Balewa Square, brought together a high-profile assembly of regional leaders. The forum was officially inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan-Enoh. They were joined by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray, represented by Dr. Kalilou Sylla, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture.
The presence of the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, alongside ECOWAS Commissioners and members of the diplomatic corps, underscored the event’s strategic importance in shaping the future of West African trade cooperation.
Celebrating 50 Years of Regional Integration
ECOTIFE 2025 serves as a cornerstone of the year-long ECOWAS@50 celebrations, embodying the region’s collective vision for a borderless, prosperous, and self-reliant West Africa. The forum acts as a dynamic convergence point for policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and development partners, all united by a common goal: to strengthen economic ties and unlock the vast potential within the region.
This initiative powerfully demonstrates ECOWAS’s enduring commitment to deepening regional integration and promoting shared prosperity through more robust trade links and inclusive economic growth.
Voices from the Forum
“This platform captures the spirit of ECOWAS@50—the drive to connect markets, empower people, and unlock opportunities that cross borders,” stated H.E. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. “ECOTIFE is more than an exhibition; it is a celebration of West Africa’s resilience and creativity as we trade, innovate, and grow together.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Kolawole Sofola, Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the strategic underpinnings of the event. “Trade facilitation and investment promotion are central to ECOWAS’ economic integration agenda. ECOTIFE aligns with our strategic objective to deepen trade within the region, strengthen regional value chains, and position West Africa as a competitive and sustainable investment destination.”
Focus on Digital Transformation and Trade Facilitation
The first two days of the fair, November 7 and 8, featured expert panel discussions and dynamic exhibitions designed to showcase West Africa’s significant untapped potential. A key focus of the expert dialogues was the theme ‘Facilitating Trade and Digital Transformation,’ where participants explored cutting-edge technological solutions capable of revolutionizing trade and market access throughout the region.
As one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest and longest-running trade exhibitions, the Lagos International Trade Fair provides an unparalleled platform for business networking and cross-border partnerships. With support from both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Lagos State Government, the event annually attracts over 1,600 exhibitors and more than half a million visitors, solidifying its status as a premier destination for investment promotion on the continent.