By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr
The World Bank Country Manager, Abdu Muwonge, has called for deeper regional cooperation among Mano River Union countries, emphasizing that coordinated investments, policy harmonization, and strategic partnerships are essential to unlocking economic growth across West Africa. Delivering a statement at a high-level forum, Muwonge highlighted the vast but underutilized opportunities within the subregion—particularly among Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. These include the potential for increased cross-border labor mobility, expanded trade, and improved business environments.
However, he noted that persistent structural barriers—ranging from fragmented tax regimes to logistical inefficiencies—continue to hinder progress. Addressing these challenges, he stressed, requires deliberate and sustained policy alignment among neighboring countries. “The real challenge is improving the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and grow,” Muwonge said. “Countries that have succeeded across the continent have done so by focusing on coordinated investments over time—sometimes over a decade—while maintaining consistency in policy direction.”
He underscored the importance of regional economic integration, particularly within frameworks such as the Economic Community of West African States and the Mano River Union. He described integration as a powerful tool for unlocking shared prosperity, provided that countries commit to long-term collaboration. A key example cited was the Côte d’Ivoire–Sierra Leone–Guinea (CSG) power interconnection project, a major regional energy initiative designed to enhance electricity access and reduce costs.
The project, supported by partners including the World Bank, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and Germany’s KfW, represents a 99-year investment aimed at transforming the region’s energy landscape. According to Muwonge, the success of such infrastructure depends not only on initial investment but also on effective governance, maintenance, and regional ownership. He noted that access to cheaper electricity—estimated at around 16 cents per kilowatt-hour through regional supply—could significantly reduce production costs and boost industrial competitiveness.
“Energy remains a major constraint,” he said. “But with stronger regional trade in power, countries can lower costs and accelerate economic activity.” Beyond energy, the World Bank is also supporting digital transformation efforts across the region. Sierra Leone, he recalled, previously benefited from the West African Regional Communications Infrastructure Program, which expanded connectivity through submarine cable systems. Building on that progress, the country is now engaging in the West African Regional Digital Infrastructure Program, aimed at strengthening broadband access and digital services. “These initiatives demonstrate the power of partnerships,” Muwonge noted.
“No country can unlock its full potential alone.” He further highlighted opportunities in the extractive and agricultural sectors, emphasizing that maximizing value from mineral resources will require cross-border collaboration and shared investment strategies. In agriculture, he pointed to the need for stronger research systems and regional knowledge-sharing platforms, including partnerships with institutions such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Muwonge concluded by urging governments, development partners, and the private sector to remain committed to long-term cooperation, stressing that regional integration is not a short-term effort but a sustained process requiring vision and discipline. “If we are to unlock the immense opportunities before us,” he said, “we must work together—strategically, consistently, and in partnership.”
