Strengthening One Health Governance in West Africa: Regional Coordination and Institutional Innovations Under ECOWAS RCSDC, 2024–2025
1
ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control, West Africa Health Organization, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3266
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Cross-border health threats in West Africa underscore the need for strong One Health governance that effectively links human, animal, and environmental health systems. Regional analyses have shown that weak coordination, fragmented data flows, and limited institutional platforms hinder the operationalisation of One Health and constrain preparedness for zoonotic and transboundary health threats.¹ Strengthening regional governance mechanisms is therefore critical to improving multisectoral collaboration, policy alignment, and health security across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
METHODS:
A governance-focused review was conducted drawing on ECOWAS One Health Technical Coordination meeting reports, technical documents, partner consultations, and outputs from multisectoral platforms implemented between 2024 and 2025. In addition, a region-wide survey using a standardised questionnaire was disseminated to all ECOWAS Member States to assess One Health coordination capacities, institutional arrangements, and priority needs. Analysed activities included bulletin development, cross-sectoral collaboration mechanisms, digital information-sharing initiatives, and the establishment of a regional Community of Practice.
RESULTS:
Key achievements included the launch of the ECOWAS One Health Bulletin, strengthened collaboration with the ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC), Directorate of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Africa CDC coordination structures. The 2025 Regional Technical Meeting advanced multisectoral work on integrated surveillance, digital interoperability, indicator harmonisation, and cross-border coordination. A major milestone was the establishment of the Regional One Health Community of Practice, creating a sustained platform for peer learning, technical exchange, and joint problem-solving. These outcomes demonstrate practical progress in translating One Health principles into functional regional mechanisms.²
CONCLUSIONS:
The ECOWAS RCSDC governance model illustrates how regional institutions can operationalise One Health through structured coordination platforms, shared tools, and sustained multisectoral engagement. This approach strengthens preparedness, policy coherence, and collaborative action, offering a scalable framework for advancing One Health implementation across West Africa.
Cross-border health threats in West Africa underscore the need for strong One Health governance that effectively links human, animal, and environmental health systems. Regional analyses have shown that weak coordination, fragmented data flows, and limited institutional platforms hinder the operationalisation of One Health and constrain preparedness for zoonotic and transboundary health threats.¹ Strengthening regional governance mechanisms is therefore critical to improving multisectoral collaboration, policy alignment, and health security across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
METHODS:
A governance-focused review was conducted drawing on ECOWAS One Health Technical Coordination meeting reports, technical documents, partner consultations, and outputs from multisectoral platforms implemented between 2024 and 2025. In addition, a region-wide survey using a standardised questionnaire was disseminated to all ECOWAS Member States to assess One Health coordination capacities, institutional arrangements, and priority needs. Analysed activities included bulletin development, cross-sectoral collaboration mechanisms, digital information-sharing initiatives, and the establishment of a regional Community of Practice.
RESULTS:
Key achievements included the launch of the ECOWAS One Health Bulletin, strengthened collaboration with the ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC), Directorate of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Africa CDC coordination structures. The 2025 Regional Technical Meeting advanced multisectoral work on integrated surveillance, digital interoperability, indicator harmonisation, and cross-border coordination. A major milestone was the establishment of the Regional One Health Community of Practice, creating a sustained platform for peer learning, technical exchange, and joint problem-solving. These outcomes demonstrate practical progress in translating One Health principles into functional regional mechanisms.²
CONCLUSIONS:
The ECOWAS RCSDC governance model illustrates how regional institutions can operationalise One Health through structured coordination platforms, shared tools, and sustained multisectoral engagement. This approach strengthens preparedness, policy coherence, and collaborative action, offering a scalable framework for advancing One Health implementation across West Africa.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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