Who We Are

Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States

The Investment Promotion Agencies of West African States (IPAWAS) is a regional association established in 2012 to strengthen investment promotion, cooperation, and competitiveness across West Africa.

Incorporated in Nigeria as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, IPAWAS operates as a non-profit, autonomous regional body dedicated to positioning West Africa as the most reliable sub-region for sustainable investments that generate viable economic returns while addressing development and environmental challenges.

400M+

Population

2.6% annual growth

$700B+

Combined GDP

5.2% average growth

60%

Under Age 25

Demographic dividend

55%

Urbanization

Rapidly expanding

Our History

IPAWAS emerged from the collective recognition by West African IPAs of the need for a unified platform to strengthen investment promotion, cooperation, and competitiveness in the sub-region. It seeks to position West Africa as the most reliable sub-region for sustainable investments that generate viable economic returns while addressing development and environmental challenges.

2012: Foundation

IPAWAS was formally established as a regional association of Investment Promotion Agencies within ECOWAS. The organization was incorporated in Nigeria under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to serve as a non-profit, autonomous regional body.

Building Partnerships

Since its inception, IPAWAS has built strategic partnerships with ECOWAS institutions, national IPAs, and global investment networks, including the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA). These partnerships have strengthened the organization's capacity to serve its members and promote West Africa globally.

Regional Integration Milestone

The establishment of IPAWAS represents a major milestone in West Africa's efforts to deepen regional integration through investment facilitation, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. It strengthens policy advocacy, facilitates access to technical assistance, and promotes regional investment projects to attract quality and sustainable investment into the sub-region.

What We Do

Investment Promotion

We coordinate regional investment promotion initiatives, organize joint missions, and showcase West Africa's investment opportunities to global investors through strategic partnerships and targeted marketing.

Capacity Building

Through workshops, training programs, study tours, and exchange missions, we strengthen the institutional capacity of member IPAs to attract, facilitate, and retain quality investments.

Investment Intelligence

The West Africa Investment Intelligence System (WAIIS) provides comprehensive data, analytics, and insights on investment trends, opportunities, and performance across the region.

Regional Collaboration

We facilitate knowledge sharing, best practice exchange, and collaborative problem-solving among member IPAs, creating synergies that benefit the entire West African investment ecosystem.

Policy Advocacy

Supporting policy reforms and regulatory harmonization to improve the business environment, enhance investor confidence, and facilitate cross-border investment flows across West Africa.

Investor Services

Providing investment facilitation support, connecting investors with member IPAs, and offering aftercare services to encourage investment retention and expansion across the region.

Our Member States

IPAWAS brings together Investment Promotion Agencies from all 12 ECOWAS Member States, representing a unified commitment to West Africa's economic transformation.