The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to strengthen water security, climate change and policy innovation in the region.

ECOWAS announced that ECOWAS and IWMI signed a five-year strategic partnership agreement aimed at strengthening regional water security, climate change and policy innovations at a ceremony held in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

The statement said that Kouassi Kouakou Alexis, Director of the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, said the support received from IWMI was invaluable in achieving the best results for the ECOWAS community.

The collaboration aims to advance digital innovation, water infrastructure, gender equality, social inclusion and capacity building in line with IWMI’s strategic plan and the West Africa Water Resources Policy.

The initiative aims to contribute to solving important problems such as water scarcity, climate change and rural poverty by conducting local observations, conducting inclusive research and strengthening regional cooperation.