The announcement was made by Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, during the opening of the ninety-fifth ordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja on Wednesday, December 10.
Touray said the decision reflects Dangote’s long-standing experience in building large-scale enterprises across the continent.
“I’m happy to report that Alhaji Aliko Dangote has accepted this regional role,” he said, adding that the council will help bring private sector actors into core conversations on economic integration.
Touray noted that interest in intra-regional investment is on the rise, citing recent initiatives such as the Forum Senegal Invest in Senegal, the West African Economic Summit in Nigeria, and the Invest in District Savanes meeting in Cote d’Ivoire.
He also disclosed that Sierra Leone has submitted a proposal to host its own West Africa Economic Investment Summit.
According to the ECOWAS Commission, the growing appetite for homegrown investment underscores the need for a structured platform for regional businesses to collaborate on trade, infrastructure development, and cross-border opportunities.
He expressed confidence in Dangote’s capacity to steer the council through its formative stages and help shape a more competitive and interconnected West African market.
