President Bola Tinubu is set to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, for the fifth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union (AU) and other regional bodies.
Tinubu was elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) On July 9.
As ECOWAS chairman, Tinubu will attend the mid-year meeting, joining heads of state, foreign ministers, and high-level dignitaries.
The meeting, which will take place on Sunday, aims to promote coordination and cooperation among AU member states.
“The president will present a report on the status of regional integration in ECOWAS, highlighting actions carried out during the period under review by ECOWAS institutions, member-states, the private sector, and other stakeholders to deepen integration through trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, peace, security and stability,” Alake said.
“The 5th MYCM, which is convening under the AU’s theme for 2023, christened “Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation” will bring together the Bureau of the AU assembly, comprising the heads of state and government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, as well as the leaders of the eight RECs.
“These regional economic communities include ECOWAS, chaired by Nigeria; the East African Community (EAC); the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD); the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA); the Southern African Development Community (SADC); the Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN SAD); the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA); and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
“The meeting will also involve the African Union Commission and the RMs.”
Alake further mentioned that President Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials during his trip.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Tinubu is scheduled to return to Nigeria.