ECOWAS Club Launched at University of Parakou to Boost Youth Involvement in Regional Integration

By Joylinda Laryea / 5th October 2025

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strengthened its youth engagement efforts with the official installation of an ECOWAS Club at the University of Parakou in Benin on 25 September 2025.

The ceremony, held under the theme “ECOWAS in the Face of Integration Challenges: What Role for Youth?”, was presided over by Ambassador Amadou Diongue, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin. The event drew participation from local authorities, academics, and representatives of student and youth associations, underscoring a shared commitment to promoting regional integration.

In his address, Ambassador Diongue emphasized that young people remain central to the future of West Africa and must be actively involved in shaping the region’s integration agenda. He noted that the newly installed ECOWAS Club will serve as a platform for reflection, dialogue, and action in support of the organisation’s core values.

The Club, headed by Ezékias BIAO, aims to advance the ideals of ECOWAS, including peace, solidarity, integration, and sustainable development while fostering stronger connections between ECOWAS institutions and young citizens.

The launch marks the beginning of the Club's official activities and represents a renewed effort to bring the vision of regional cooperation closer to the youth population in Benin and beyond.