One of the recommendations of the 55^th ordinary session of the ECOWAS’ Heads of State and Government, held on Saturday 29 June in Abuja, Nigeria, is to accelerate the operationalization of the regional visa, the ECOVISA. The Heads of State say the implementation of this visa will boost tourism in the region.

During the workshop, participants decided to “take measures to accelerate the use of the ECOWAS national biometric identity card, with a view to facilitating mobility and strengthening the region's security architecture.”

According to the Heads of State, “all Member States should ensure the implementation of the Protocol on Free Movement, on the Right of Entry, Residence and Establishment,” despite inherent difficulties.

They hailed efforts by the Presidential Task Force on the Trade Liberalization Scheme (SLE) that aims to unlock barriers to the free movement of persons and goods, and call on Member States “to implement the revised Additional Act on Rules of Community Origin, for the abolition of both tariff and non-tariff barriers.”

Romuald Ngueyap