ECOWAS, Thailand seek stronger ties on trade, development

This came to the fore on Thursday in Abuja when Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, received Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who led a 27-member delegation on a courtesy visit to the new ECOWAS Commission headquarters.

The engagement focused largely on opportunities to deepen relations between ECOWAS and Thailand, particularly through the Thailand-Africa Initiative (TAI).

Tchintchibidja, who received the delegation on behalf of Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, described the visit as an important opportunity to build a stronger and more productive partnership between ECOWAS and Thailand, noting that the engagement reflected the growing relationship between the two sides.

According to her, the discussions could also provide a platform for strengthening cooperation between ECOWAS and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while expanding opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

The ECOWAS Vice President stressed the importance of partnerships capable of producing tangible benefits for citizens, particularly through initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

She noted that ECOWAS and Thailand shared aspirations for peace, prosperity and sustainable development, adding that closer cooperation could help both sides advance these objectives.

The engagement comes amid efforts by ECOWAS to broaden its international partnerships and strengthen cooperation with countries and regional organisations outside West Africa on issues of common interest.

Responding, Phuangketkeow said development cooperation would remain central to Thailand’s engagement with ECOWAS.

He expressed Thailand’s readiness to explore practical areas of partnership that could support West Africa’s development priorities and produce mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Thai minister’s position underscored Bangkok’s interest in strengthening its engagement with West Africa beyond diplomatic relations, with a focus on practical development cooperation.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation as ECOWAS and Thailand seek to establish a more strategic relationship based on shared development priorities, mutual respect and concrete areas of collaboration.