The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held a high-level meeting with Sweden in Abuja to review progress and set priorities for managing labour migration and implementing the ECOWAS free movement regime. The discussions focused on promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration while enhancing labour mobility as a driver of economic growth, peace, and stability in West Africa. Senior officials from ECOWAS’ Directorates of Free Movement and Humanitarian Affairs participated, highlighting the Commission’s integrated approach to migration management and regional development.
The meeting also assessed recent achievements under the Joint Labour Migration Programme, which is entering its third phase with funding and approval from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Joachim Beijmo, representing the Swedish Embassy in Addis Ababa, reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to strategic partnerships with ECOWAS. Both sides agreed to maintain close dialogue and coordination to ensure the effective implementation of the programme and broader regional migration frameworks.
