By Damilola Abiola, Abuja, Nigeria
In an effort to bolster regional peace and security initiatives, the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission has commenced a three-day Capacity Needs Assessment Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria.
The workshop, which began on April 8, 2025, brings together representatives from ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence (TCEs) and Training Institutes (TIs) to identify capacity gaps and enhance the delivery of security and governance services across West Africa. The initiative is being conducted under the framework of the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) project.
Declaring the workshop open, the ECOWAS Director for Peacekeeping and Regional Security, represented by the Acting Head of Peace Support Operations Division, Dr. Sani Adamu, emphasized the importance of enhancing ECOWAS’ training infrastructure to respond to rising regional security threats.
“The current and emerging security challenges, from insurgencies to terrorism and banditry, require tailor-made training for our armed and security services. This is where the TCEs and TIs play a crucial role,” Dr. Adamu said.
The workshop aims to establish stronger collaboration between ECOWAS and its training institutions, while supporting other departments within the Commission to meet the evolving demands of peace and security efforts.
Also speaking at the event, Teresa Krafft of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), who represented Yvonne Akpasom, Head of the EPSG Project, reaffirmed the project’s commitment to improving governance and stability in West Africa.
“This workshop unites us with a shared goal of strengthening cooperation between ECOWAS and the Training Centres of Excellence. This will enable them to effectively carry out their mandates and address emerging challenges in the region,” Krafft said.
The EPSG project builds upon the successes of the previous ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project. It focuses on enhancing conflict early warning and response systems, security sector reform, electoral support, and the inclusion of women and youth in peace and security efforts.
The ongoing workshop is also reviewing preliminary findings from a recently conducted Capacity Needs Assessment, which is expected to shape future strategies for developing ECOWAS’ training infrastructure.
The event is being facilitated by Reverend John Nkum Associates and is co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.