ECOWAS Moves to Establish Regional Open Data Framework to Strengthen Digital Governance

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step toward improving transparency and digital governance across the region by advancing plans for a harmonised regional open data framework.

Through its Directorate of Digital Economy and Post, the ECOWAS Commission recently convened a validation workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together representatives from member states and digital governance experts to review a proposed Regional Open Data Legal Framework.

Promoting transparency and innovation

The two-day meeting focused on reviewing and refining the draft legal instrument designed to guide the publication, access, and reuse of public sector data across West Africa.

Officials say the initiative reflects a growing recognition that open data can play a crucial role in enhancing transparency, supporting digital transformation, and driving economic innovation across the region.

Speaking at the opening session, Folake Olagunju, Director of Digital Economy and Post at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the importance of improving governance around public sector data.

She noted that wider access to government-generated data could help businesses, researchers, and civil society organisations develop solutions to socio-economic challenges while strengthening institutional accountability.

Regional collaboration on data governance

The workshop was chaired by Abdulai Sankoh, Director of Technology at Sierra Leone Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation.

Sankoh emphasised that a coordinated regional approach to data governance would help governments unlock the value of public sector data, support evidence-based policymaking, and improve service delivery across ECOWAS member states.

Key features of the proposed framework

During the discussions, participants reviewed the draft framework article by article to consolidate national inputs and move toward consensus on a harmonised regional directive.

The proposed framework promotes the principle of “open-by-default” public sector data, while also ensuring safeguards for privacy protection, security, intellectual property rights, and commercially sensitive information.

Delegates also explored ways to:

• Improve interoperability between national data systems
• Encourage publication of high-value datasets in accessible formats
• Support responsible data reuse, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship

Driving West Africa’s digital transformation

ECOWAS said the initiative aims to create a coherent regional open data ecosystem capable of accelerating digital transformation and strengthening regional integration.

By enabling responsible access to public sector information, the framework is expected to empower entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, and citizens to build digital solutions that improve public services and promote knowledge-driven economic growth across West Africa.