Presentation by Kinza Jawara-N’Jai (ECOWAS Commission) at the Seminar on Cross-Border Development in the Sahel, Cotonou (3-4July 2018). The seminar was organised by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) of the OECD. Présentation par Kinza Jawara-N’Jai (Commission de la CEDEAO) au séminaire sur le développement transfrontalier au Sahel, Cotonou (3-4 juillet 2018). Le séminaire a été organisé par l’Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine (UEMOA) et le Club du Sahel et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CSAO) de l’OCDE.

2. SEMINAR ON CROSS-BORDER DEVELOPMENT IN THE SAHEL – UEMOA-CCT- SWAC- SWISS COOPERATION
COTONOU, BENIN, 3RD – 4TH JULY 2018
PRESENTATION ON THE ECOWAS REGIONAL CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION
SUPPORT PROGRAMME(ERCBCSP) – WHAT LEGAL AND FINANCIAL SCENARIOS FOR
CROSS-BORDER ACTIVITIES?
PRESENTED BY : KINZA JAWARA-N’JAI, PRINCIPAL PROGRAMME OFFICER CROSS-BORDER
COOPERATION, ECOWAS COMMISSION

3. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
• OVERVIEW ON ECOWAS CBC – 2006 – 2018
• ECOWAS LEGAL INSTRUMENTS – JUSTIFICATION FOR CBC ACTIONS IN W.AFRICA
• ADOPTION OF THE ECOWAS CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME (ECBCSP)– 2017 – 2021
• ROLE OF ACTORS – REGIONAL, NATIONAL , LOCAL , DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
• FINANCING EC0WAS CBC ACTIONS – ECOWAS CBC FUND AND OPERATIONAL MODALITIES
- FEASIBILITY STUDY BY ECOWAS AND MOT
- INSTITUTION OF ECOWAS CBC FUND MANAGEMENT UNIT
- SETTING UP OF ECOWAS CBC GRANTS EVALUATION & PROGRAMME STEERING COMMITTEES–(GEC AND STC)
- FUND IMPLEMENTATION AND PRIORITY AREAS OF INTERVENTION
- ECOWAS CBC REGIONAL PROGRAMME BUDGET – 2017- 2021 ; FUND CONTRIBUTORS AND ACCESS TO FUNDING
- MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL TOOLS
- OTHER RELATED ACTIONS – COMMUNICATION AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION STRATEGIES; GUIDE BOOK - CBC IN W. AFRICA
ANNUAL STAKEHOLDERS FORUM ON ECOWAS CBC; DONOR’S ROUNDTABLE
• CONCLUSION

4. OVERVIEW OF ECOWAS CBC
INTRODUCTION:
- BACKGROUND AND PROGRAMME JUSTIFICATION
• ECOWAS CBC was introduced and adapted onto the Regional
Integration Agenda in 2006 by a Decision of ECOWAS Heads of State
and Government on the recommendation of SWAC-OECD, WABI,
ECOWAS Ministers of Foreign Affairs and ECOWAS Parliament
• The Decision called for the promotion and development of Local
Integration in West Africa and the implementation of a Regional
Programme on CBC in the various development sectors to better
achieve the ECOWAS Vision of an “ECOWAS OF PEOPLES”

5. JUSTIFICATION FOR ECOWAS CBC –
WHAT LEGAL INSTRUMENTS?
To propel actions, the following Legal Instruments provides justification for implementation of CBC in West
Africa
• The ECOWAS CBC Regional drive to actualize the Concept of ‘Local Integration was fully concretized when
CBC was officially adapted onto the Integration Agenda of ECOWAS in 2006 vide
• Decision, A/Dec.2/01/06 of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, taken at the 29th Ordinary
Session held in Niamey on 12th January 2006. The Decision which calls for the development of Cross-
Border Cooperation Initiatives and Local Integration in West Africa became fully operational in a Pilot
operation phase in 2009.
• Implementation of the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Programme is further justified by
• The following legal instruments:
 Provisions of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty,
 Protocols on Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services;
 ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF),
 ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration and related International Migration and development
Instruments
 Draft CONVENTION / DIRECTIVE on ECOWAS CBC which informed the the development and Adoption of
the African Union Convention on CBC
 Various Bilateral and Multi-lateral Framework of Cooperation Agreements on CBC between ECOWAS
Member States and Local Authorities – Notably between the ECOWAS CBC pilot Zones – SKBO- ALG; SSG-
SENEGALO GAMBIA JOINT COMMISSIONS, K2M – NNJC; MRU – MRU JOINT COMMISSIONS

6. CBC LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND
JUSTIFICATION cont.
• In addition to the foregoing Legal Instruments, the following provides
further justifications for CBC actions in West Africa:
- Decision of ECOWAS Ministers in charge of CBC in the SKBO and SSG Zones
in Ministerial Meetings held during the ECOWAS CBC Pilot Operation
Phase between 2010 – 2013
- Decision of ECOWAS Ministers of Internal Affairs – BAMAKO, 2016 and
ECOWAS Council of Ministers 2016 – ABUJA 2016 adopting the New
ECOWAS CBC Regional Support Programme(ECBCRSP- 2017-2021)

7. ECBCSP 2017 - 2021
• Following the successful implementation of the ECOWAS CBC Pilot Operation Programme with the
support of SWAC – OECD, WABI and ECOWAS Member States between 2009 – 2013, a second
Programme Operation Phase and a Concrete Regional Programme on ECOWAS CBC was developed
for a 5-Year implementation period 2017 – 2021 and adopted at Ministerial Level in Nov. 2016
• The New ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Programme (ECBCP) 2017 – 2021 works with Local
Communities to foster Regional Peace and Security, manage Migration and development and
Faciltitate Free Movement and Trade in West Africa through a multisectoral intervention approach.
It specifically focuses on support to implementation of community development
Initiatives/Projects that addresses Root Causes of Poverty, Irregular Migration, Instability and
Insecurity facing the Region.
• A People Centered Programme working to achieve ECOWAS VISION 2020 – moving from ECOWAS
OF STATES TO ECOWAS OF PEOPLE
• A Multi – Sectoral development Programme working with local communities in border regions to
ensure social cohesion and regional construction
• Translates community vision into action by involving local communities in the Regional Integration
Process – (Promotes Regional Integration from Below – Supports Local Integration Projects by
Building Capacities and financing Joint Socio-Economic Dev Projects that ensures Sustainable
development)

8. ECBCSP 2017- 2021
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
• AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The Aim of the ECOWAS CBC Programme is to strengthen cooperation among Communities, States and
Markets and deepen Regional Integration from below.
Specific Objectives –
 Foster cooperation and encourage joint development planning and actions;
 Create Awareness and Promote and Consolidate Peace, Stability and Development;
 Manage Migration and Free Movement and promote Trade;
 Build Capacities, Facilitate and support Social and Economic development Initiatives / Local
community development Projects in West Africa.

9. INTERVENTION AREAS
• FOCUS ACTIONS / INTERVENTIONS
• Strengthening Coordination, Partnerships and Legal Frameworks, Building Capacities and Provision of Financial and Technical
support for Project implementation in areas such as :
 Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution
 Migration and Border management – Promoting Free Movement and Regular Migration, Stemming, Irregular Migration, Counter-
Trafficking, Trade Facilitation and Promotion
 Knowledge Management – Capacity Building, Information, Education and Communication (I.E.C) /Sensitization and Awareness
Creation, Research and Documentation
 Establishment of Regional Public Goods – Shared Local Socio-Economic Infrastructures e.g-
 Joint Border Posts and Border Information Centres
 Local Border Markets and Trade Hubs
 Schools/Vocational /Skills Training Facilities
 Border Health for Peace Centers
 Provision of Clean drinking Water and Sanitation Facilities
 Supporting Joint Socio-economic development Initiatives – and Cultural and Sporting actions, etc

10. TARGET BENEFICIARIES AND
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
TARGET BENEFICIARIEs
 Local Border Populations – Women and Youths
 National and Local Authorities /Municipalities
 State services for Border management
 Zonal / Multi-Country CBC Structures/Municipal Associations
 Civil society and the Media
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
• Institutional Organization and Coordination,
• Capacity Building,
• Provision of Technical and Financial Support for Joint Development Projects

11. ROLES OF VARIOUS ACTORS
• In the Implementation of the ECOWAS CBCSP 2017-2021, the following
roles shall be played by Regional, National and Local Actors and Financial
and Technical Partners
• REGIONAL – ECOWAS and UEMOA – Facilitation and Coordination of
ECOWAS CBC Regional Programme Actions
• National – States supports National and Local Actions and Provides
Leadership and Political Advocacy
• Local Authorities, Civil Society and Community Citizens - main
Implementers of CBC Initiatives and Projects
• Technical and Financial Partners – Provision of Technical and Financial
Support

12. ECOWAS CBC REGIONAL PROGRAMME
FINANCING
In terms of Financing ECOWAS CBC Actions-
• Setting up of ECOWAS CBC Fund (Facilitation Fund to finance CBC Actions
• Study presently being conducted by ECOWAS – Cosinus Conseil- BNETD
and MOT – well advanced with support of GIZ- AUBP
• Work already commenced on implementation modalities and Operational
Tools
• Fund Management Unit will be set up within the ECOWAS Dept of Trade,
Customs, Free Movement and Tourism
• Regional Coordinator and Fund Management Team will be put in place –
Fund Manager, Programme Officers , M& E Officer, Project Accountants,
Admin. Secretary
• Programme Steering and Grants Evaluation Committees at Regional Level

13. Fund to be operational in 2019 and will finance CBC development Projects in
the Priority areas of:
• Regional Peace and Security
• Migration and Development – Border Management
• Trade Promotion and Facilitation – Agriculture and Value Chains
• Health Infrastructure Dev.
• Knowledge Management – Information, Education and Communication
(I.E.C)

14. ACCESS TO ECOWAS CBC FUND
• METHODOLOGY
• Provision of direct Project Facilitation Support Funding to National and Local Partners through call for Proposals:
Institutional Component – Targeting State Actors
Civil Society Component – Targeting Non- State Actors
PROGRAMME FINANCING
OVERALL REGIONAL PROGRAMME BUDGET SUPPORT - US $ 80 MILLION
Component 1 (8%) => US $ 6.4 million
Coordination, partnership, networking and institutional support
Component 2 (24%) => US $ 19.2 million
Knowledge management – Capacity Building, Sensitization / Awareness Creation
Component 3 (57%) => US $ 45.6 million
Support development of Cross-Border Cooperation Initiatives

15. • FUND CONTRIBUTORS:
- ECOWAS Commission
- Member States
- Development Partners/ Donors
• FUND MANAGEMENT:
- ECOWAS Commission
-ECOWAS CBC Steering Committee and GEC
-Fund Management Unit

16. ECBCP 2017 - 2021 PROJECT SITES
– 9 WEST AFRICAN BORDER AREAS
MAP OF REGIONAL PROJECT SITES
PRINCIPAL DOMAINS:

17. ECOWAS COUNCIL OF
MINISTERS -
Responsible for Programme
Endorsement at Regional
level
- ECOWAS Ministers in
- charge of CBC –
Regional Ministerial
Committee responsible for
adoption of Programmes
Projects and plans of action
for Programme Implem
REGIONAL STEERING
COMMITTEE -
ECOWAS SECTORAL
DEPTS AND DEV.
PARTNERS – REP. OF
FUNDING AGENCIES,
TECHNICAL PARTNER
SWAC- OECD AND CBC
EXPERTS
Orientation - Decision-
making on Regional
Projects-monitoring
framework
COUNTRY PLATFORM
NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEES
ADVISORY TO ZONAL PLATFORM AND
DECISION-MAKING AT NATIONAL LEVEL
Responsible for Consultation, coordination-
Management-Supervision –of Projects at
National level
LOCAL PLATFORMS -Operational level
PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION BY
- Local actors-
(Local Authorities / Municipalities, Civil
Society – Women and Youth Groups, Media)
ZONAL IMPLEMENTING AENCY
Technical Support structure /
Secretariat linked to the ZSC
responsible for coordination -
Management – Supervison of
Projects Interface between Local,
National and Zonal Levels –
Strengthens Capacities and provide
technical support for Project
Implem.
ECOWAS COMMISSION
Directorate of Trade, Customs,
Free Movement and Tourism
Coordination and facilitation –
Management, Support,
monitoring and evaluation
framework
Policy, decision-
making and
Programme
implementation
organs at Regional
level –
Instances politique
et décisionnel et de
mis en œuvre au
niveau régional
Coordination ,
Management and
monitoring of
interventions at
Zonal, National and
Local Levels -
Instances de
coordination et
de suivi au
niveau des zones
d’intervention
CROSS-BORDER ZONAL
MINISTERIAL STEERING
COMMITTEE
Consultation, coordination and
decision making at Zonal Level

18. OPERATIONAL TOOLS
With regards to Operational Tools,
• Templates have been prepared for :
- Call for Proposals
- Project Fiches – Application Templates-Log- Frames
- Financial Reporting Templates
- M&E Manual
- Framework of Cooperation Agreement –
ECOWAS and Project Partners
OTHER RELATED ACTIONS:
ECOWAS also working with MOT on elaboration of Programme’s
- Communication and Resource Mobilization Strategies
- GUIDE TO ECOWAS CBC
- Validation of Zonal Projects identified with support of GIZ- AUBP
- Holding of Annual Stakeholders Forum on ECOWAS CBC – Technical and Ministerial
- Holding of Donor’s Roundtable on ECOWAS CBC to raise the necessary Financing and operationalize the Programme aat the Regional Level

19. CONCLUSION
• ECOWAS highly welcomes the various demarches by
all Stakeholders to strengthen CBC in west Africa and
will continue to work with the SWAC-OECD, WABI
and similar Think Tanks, UEMOA, African Union-
AUBP and Development Partners – GIZ, Swiss
Cooperation etc. to realize the Local Integration
Agenda in West Africa and which will no doubt help
ECOWAS deepen Regional Integration from below.
• THANK YOU ET MERCI BEAUCOUP