ECOWAS eyes regional geo-extractive observatory based on Nigeria's eMC+ system

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has revealed plans to establish a regional Geo-Extractive Observatory based on the eMC+ Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (NMCO).

This was disclosed during a visit by a delegation of ECOWAS Technical Experts, led by William Badu, a principal officer of ECOWAS, to the NMCO office in Abuja.

A Model for Regional Integration

The NMCO’s eMC+ system, launched in November 2022, has been operational for over two years, providing a web-based platform for managing mineral titles and promoting transparency.

Simon Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the NMCO, highlighted the benefits of the system, saying,

“We believe we have had a lot of dividends from migrating the system to a web-based system. It has boosted transparency, created more transparency in the system, integrated beneficial ownership, and integrated politically exposed persons.”

ECOWAS’ Interest in Nigeria’s eMC+ System

William Badu explained that the ECOWAS delegation visited the NMCO to observe a practical demonstration of the eMC+ system.

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“Our main purpose is to have a practical demonstration or observe a practical demonstration of how the Nigeria eMC+ system operates,” he said. “We are looking at establishing a regional geo-extractive observatory and key data system, and Nigeria’s eMC+ system is a model we are considering.”

Regional Cooperation and Integration

Badu emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and integration, stating, “The way ECOWAS was established, cooperation, harmonisation, and integration underline our operations. The objective is for member states to cooperate, harmonize, and then eventually get regional integration in all spheres.”

Impressed by Nigeria’s Progress

Madu Hassan Fika, Chairman National Expert ECOWAS, expressed his impression with the eMC+ system, saying, “What I saw today actually changed my impression completely because the mining cadastral office has gone far to be able to develop this kind of technology that can give an oversight view of what is happening in the entire cadastral system of Nigeria.”

The ECOWAS delegation’s visit aims to finalise a report on the feasibility of establishing a regional geo-extractive observatory and key data system.

The NMCO’s eMC+ system is seen as a model for other member states to emulate, promoting regional integration and cooperation in the extractive sector.

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.