After diligently working on the MSME charter and strategy, participants will proceed to recommend its validated form to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers for adoption and approval.

The ECOWAS Council of Ministers had in November 2014 adopted the Regional Strategy for Private Sector Promotion.

This followed the conduct of several studies and consultations with stakeholders, particularly national officials (Experts) and private sector actors on the issue of galvanizing development energies at the lower but critical levels of productivity.

The meeting is being called in recognition of the fact that the MSMEs are a critical sector in the regional economic dynamic contributing 80 to 90 percent of businesses, 70 to 80 percent of employment while providing the sustaining sector for food security and much more.

With the realization that insufficient attention is given this sector in member states, the development of a Charter and implementation strategy for MSME became imperative.

Current validation efforts of the Charter and implementation strategy is in tandem with the acceptance by ECOWAS Member States, of the maxim that the private sector is the engine of growth.

In pursuance of this, several policies and initiatives have been adopted and implemented to promote private sector efficiency and contribution to the development process at the national levels

The meeting which would be preceded by an experts review meeting on the 9^th of November 2016, will be attended by ECOWAS Member States’ Sector Ministers and their National Experts. Also billed to attend is the ECOWAS Commission led by the Commissioner for Industry & Private Sector Mr. Mr. Kalilou Traore as well as representatives of ECOWAS Regional Business Associations and resource persons.