ECOWAS launches pilot project to involve youth in election monitoring across West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at deepening youth involvement in democratic processes across the region.

The initiative, which was launched at an ongoing five-day training workshop that opened on Friday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is part of a pilot project titled “Mainstreaming Youth into the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EEOM),” according to a statement by the ECOWAS Communication Directorate.

The programme brings together 22 young observers from 11 ECOWAS Member States, who will be deployed on October 25, 2025, to monitor and report on election day proceedings.

According to ECOWAS, the project seeks to strengthen youth participation in electoral governance, promote inclusivity, and enhance electoral integrity across West Africa — marking the first time young observers will be formally integrated into an ECOWAS election mission.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Serigne Mamadou Ka, head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“With over 70 percent of West Africa’s population under the age of 30, young people represent a powerful force for democratic consolidation,” Ka stated.

“Yet their participation in formal governance and electoral processes remains limited. Through this initiative, ECOWAS seeks to bridge that gap by equipping youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage meaningfully as election observers and play an active role in shaping governance across the region.”

He added that the pilot project would serve as a platform for training, deploying, and mentoring young people across member states, while also generating valuable data to inform future youth inclusion policies.

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“The lessons learned from this initiative will help strengthen our evidence-based approach to advancing participatory democracy and sustaining peace in West Africa,” he noted.

Ka urged participants to seize the opportunity and demonstrate leadership and integrity in their duties, stressing that their participation symbolises a new chapter in the region’s democratic journey.

“You are not only observers,” he told the trainees.

“You are ambassadors of peace, democracy, and integrity. Your participation will inspire more young people to believe in the power of their voices and to contribute constructively to strengthening democratic culture in our region.”

The ECOWAS youth election observation project reflects the organisation’s broader goal of fostering inclusive governance and nurturing a new generation of democratic actors who can help sustain peace, transparency, and accountability across West Africa.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.