The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched the ECOWAS Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Programme (EYWEP), a regional initiative designed to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and skills development among young people and women across West Africa.
The programme was unveiled recently, in Dakar, Senegal, during the Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers in Charge of Youth and Sports, where member states gathered to validate and adopt new regional policies on youth, sports, and volunteerism.
Implemented by the ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CDJS) with technical and financial support from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the initiative seeks to create an enabling environment for innovative and sustainable businesses capable of generating decent employment and driving economic growth across the region.
EYWEP will provide aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, particularly youth and women—with a comprehensive package of support, including entrepreneurship training, mentorship, access to business networks, technical assistance, and financing mechanisms tailored to the needs of high-potential enterprises.
According to ECOWAS, the programme is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of emerging businesses while fostering a more vibrant, resilient, and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout West Africa.
As part of the launch, ECOWAS also conducted a symbolic presentation of the first round of support to selected beneficiaries from pilot countries, demonstrating the Commission’s commitment to translating regional policies into practical interventions that improve livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the Commission reaffirmed its dedication to advancing inclusive economic growth through innovation, private sector development, job creation, and the empowerment of women and young people.
ECOWAS noted that the programme will contribute to enhancing the economic resilience of its member states while accelerating progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The EYWEP is expected to serve as a regional platform for collaboration, investment, and innovation, positioning entrepreneurship as a key driver of prosperity, regional integration, and sustainable development across West Africa.
