The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun moves to improve the way migration and macroeconomic data are produced and shared across West Africa.
The ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Research and Statistics is holding two regional workshops in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from August 18 to 22, 2026, to address issues around the quality and harmonisation of statistics in member states.
The workshops are being organised under the PHASAOC project, which supports efforts to improve statistical systems, access to data and the use of reliable information across the region.
ECOWAS reviews migration report
One of the meetings is focused on migration statistics.
Participants are expected to review and validate the third edition of the Regional Report on International Migration in West Africa.
The session will also look at ways to improve the availability and use of disaggregated migration data, in line with guidelines from the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
The regional body said the exercise would help strengthen the production and dissemination of migration statistics across member states.
Focus on economic data
The second workshop is bringing together members of the National Coordination Committees (CNC) and National Economic Policy Committees (CNPE).
The meeting is focused on building their capacity to implement common regional frameworks for the compilation and publication of macroeconomic statistics.
Participants will also review the ECOMAC and ECOBASE databases and work on the harmonisation of national statistics covering 2000 to 2025.
ECOWAS said the process is expected to improve the comparability and reliability of statistics produced by member states.
The commission said the two workshops form part of its wider effort to modernise statistical systems and ensure that reliable data are available for planning and policy decisions across West Africa.
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