(31 August 2022, Abuja) Nominated technical staff are attending a 5-day workshop on Result-Based Management (RBM) oriented Project Cycle Management (PCM) to improve their management of project cycles using suitable tools and approaches to track progress and achievements. Organised to train front-line management staff from ECOWAS member countries to identify the most crucial service delivery aims in a project while keeping in mind organizational limits in resources and capabilities.
The workshop aims to equip the Networks technical staff with sustainable practices in programming, identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting. With a focus on giving technical staff the tools to ensure effective decision making throughout the project management cycle.
During the opening, Dr. Ezra YAKUSAK, emphasized how the workshop is an opportunity for participants to build competence in handling multi-task assignment with impactful result. He implored the participants to take advantage of the best practices and expressed thanks to the stakeholders for their commitment in ensuring the sustainability of the Network.
On behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kolawole SOFOLA highlighted the importance of the network in accessing new markets and establishing a linkage between local and international markets and in value chains as targeted in WACOMP. He added that the training will reinforce the Networks capabilities in formulating monitoring and reporting on projects following best practices in project management cycle.
Addressing the Event attendees, representative of the European Union Mr Charles Okafor, during his remarks, noted that such trainings would help managers develop planning tools that would be useful for impact measurement. He concluded by reiterating the European Union’s continuous commitment in strengthening trade in the region especially through regional programmes such as WACOMP.
ITC’s Senior Programme Officer, Miyoba Lubemba also underscored the importance of the TPO network in achieving economic growth. Furthermore, she highlighted the essential role of the Network in reducing poverty by enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises in a national and regional trade support ecosystem. She added that the week’s training, on Results Based Management oriented Project Cycle Management will equip participants with the skills to optimise limited resources and achieve trade impact.
The training is being held at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) which hosts the Executive Secretariat of the ECOWAS TPO Network, the workshop is coordinated by the ECOWAS Commission alongside the International Trade Centre (ITC) as part of the West Africa Competitiveness programme (WACOMP).
About:
WACOMP is financed by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund. The programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of West African countries and enhance their integration into the regional and international trading system. The overall objective of the Programme is “to strengthen the competitiveness of West Africa through an enhanced level of production, transformation and export capacities of the private sector in line with regional and national industrial and SME strategies”.
The ECOWAS TPO Network was established through an inclusive process involving all TPOs of ECOWAS Member States. The institutional and legal documentation of the Network includes the decision of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, the Memorandum of Understanding, the terms of reference, the statutes, and the rules of procedure.
