LocationsECOWAS joins the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure: Strengthening risk-informed development in West Africa
February 24, 2026
ECOWAS-CDRI official membership reception
Abuja, Nigeria – 17 February 2026 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), a global partnership dedicated to enhancing infrastructure resilience against disasters and climate change. Commemorated on 17 February 2026 at the High Commission of India in Abuja (Nigeria), this partnership reinforces strengthened multilateral collaboration to embed resilience into infrastructure planning, in support of socio-economic development across the region in the face of escalating climate and disaster risks.
Launched in 2019 by the Government of India at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York City (United States of America), CDRI convenes governments, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, private sector entities, and academic institutions. The Coalition promotes the integration of resilience into essential sectors—energy, transport, water, telecommunications, health, and digital networks—particularly in climate-vulnerable regions of the Global South. It prioritizes knowledge exchange, capacity development, innovative financing, and technical assistance to reduce disaster-related losses and advance sustainable development outcomes.
At the launch ceremony, the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, H.E. Shri Abhishek Singh, stated that: “India is delighted to welcome ECOWAS as a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. This partnership will advance global cooperation in building resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding climate and disaster risks, thereby protecting lives, livelihoods, and economic progress across West Africa and contributing to sustainable regional development.”
ECOWAS's membership represents a strategic advancement for countries in West Africa, where recurrent hazards—including floods, droughts, coastal erosion, and epidemics—continue to threaten livelihoods, ecosystems, and infrastructure stability. The partnership will enable access to global best practices, facilitate regional knowledge exchange and strengthen capacity to design, build and maintain disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure. It directly supports the implementation of ECOWAS's Regional Resilience Strategy for West Africa (2024-2050), adopted at the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
ECOWAS-CDRI official membership reception (group photo)
Developed with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financial contributions from Sweden and Denmark, the Strategy sets out sequenced priority actions to address interconnected resilience challenges across governance, economic, social inclusion, and environmental pathways in the region.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, H.E. Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, stated: “We particularly value the CDRI’s emphasis on knowledge exchange, capacity development, and collaborative implementation. ECOWAS looks forward to engaging actively in programmes such as the Resilient Infrastructure and Resilient Africa initiatives, and to supporting our Member States in embedding resilience principles across all sectors.”
This collaboration with CDRI – facilitated by UNDP through the Sweden-funded Sahel Resilience Project – will help catalyze the institutionalization of resilient infrastructure development in West Africa. To support this effort, UNDP continues to provide expertise through the two urban resilience experts embedded within the ECOWAS Commission, and remains committed to implementing the continental Africa Urban Resilience Programme in West Africa through partnerships such as with CDRI. Fully aligned with the Regional Resilience Strategy for West Africa, this collaboration can help ensure that infrastructure –from energy and health systems to value chains, including in key transboundary economic corridors–can withstand climate shocks, thereby reducing fragility and strengthening regional integration in West Africa.
On his part, the Director of UNDP’s Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa and UNDP Resident Representative in Senegal, Mr. Njoya Tikum, welcomed the partnership stating: “At a time when climate shocks, disaster risks and fragility are placing growing pressure on critical infrastructure systems in West Africa, this partnership is both timely and strategic. By bringing together ECOWAS’s regional leadership, CDRI’s global expertise on resilient infrastructure, and UNDP’s policy and operational support across the region, we can help institutionalize risk-informed infrastructure planning and investment that protects development gains, strengthens regional integration, and advances long-term resilience.”
Through sustained technical assistance, capacity development, and partnership facilitation under the Sahel Resilience Project and related initiatives, UNDP will remain a steadfast partner to the ECOWAS Commission and its Member States to achieve their development goals. This commemoration reflects enhanced multilateral cooperation and collective resolve to advance resilient, sustainable development across the region.
For more information:
About ECOWAS: https://ecowas.int
About CDRI: https://cdri.world
About Sahel Resilience Project: https://www.undp.org/africa/sahel-resilience-project
Contact:
Mamadou Ernest Cissé - Communications Specialist _ United Nations Development Programme
Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa / Sahel Resilience Project
Email: ernest.cisse@undp.org
Related
content
content
