West Africa in Transition
As West Africa navigates a critical moment of political, economic, and institutional transformation, this high-level conference marks the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — a cornerstone of regional cooperation and integration since 1975.

The event will open with a Keynote Address by H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and a founding architect of ECOWAS. Drawing on decades of leadership in regional diplomacy and governance, President Obasanjo will reflect on ECOWAS’s achievements, its evolving mandate, and the urgent challenges facing the region today — from democratic backsliding and insecurity to climate vulnerability and economic realignment.

The keynote will be followed by an expert panel featuring:

*⁠ ⁠H.E. Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, Nigeria, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
*⁠ ⁠H.E. Oumar Demba Ba, Chief Diplomatic Advisor to President Macky Sall, Senegal
*⁠ ⁠H.E. Mawutor Alifo, High Commissionner of Ghana

Together, they will explore the future of ECOWAS and West African cooperation in a changing global order. The discussion will engage with questions of institutional reform, youth-led movements, security architecture, and the role of subnational leadership in regional integration.
Date: 9 May 2025, 16:30
Venue: Christ Church, St Aldates OX1 1DP
Speaker: Various Speakers
Organising department: Centre for African Studies
Organiser: Ryan Cauwenberghs (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: ryan.cauwenberghs@africa.ox.ac.uk
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://forms.gle/mmMUWEiHo3xhGfUN6
Audience: Public
Editor: Amy Crane