The workshop, supported by TradeMark Africa under the European Union Global Gateway Support Programme, focused on practical questions of governance structure, institutional anchorage, sustainable operations and financing, and coordination.
The meeting drew representatives from relevant directorates at the ECOWAS Commission, regional institutions and corridor observatories, alongside technical and financial partners including the African Development Bank, ALCO, WACTAF, TMA, the EU, the World Bank, SSATP, CILSS and Borderless Alliance.
In a report from the Economic Community of West African States, the Commission said participants worked to refine the strategic framework and operational modalities of the observatory, which is aimed at enhancing data collection, analysis and dissemination on transport infrastructure, services and performance across the region.
The coordination mechanism agreed at the workshop is designed to link national and regional bodies, existing observatories and partner-led initiatives.
According to the Commission, the aim is to enhance credibility and integrity in providing timely and reliable data for traders, transporters, businesses, academia, public officials and leadership.
Chris Appiah, Director of Transport at the ECOWAS Commission, told the closing session that inputs and feedback from experienced experts working on projects and related corridor organisations would further enrich efforts to establish a more sustainable, regionally anchored Transport Observatory under ECOWAS leadership.
He described such a body as a critical tool for monitoring progress, identifying bottlenecks and promoting sustainable transport solutions in West Africa.
Appiah said the Commission would coordinate with officials from the UEMOA Commission and the AES States to ensure a well harmonised mechanism covering the whole region.
The workshop was described as a significant step toward operationalising the observatory. The next phase is to focus on resource mobilisation, technical deployment and capacity building for Corridor Authorities and Member States.
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