ECOWAS Court turns to reform, enforcement as regional justice faces new challenges
The future of regional justice in West Africa, including stronger enforcement of court decisions and the implications of artificial intelligence, will come under scrutiny as the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opens its 2026 International Conference in Dakar, Senegal.
The five-day conference, scheduled for September 21 to 25, is expected to bring together senior judicial and government officials from ECOWAS member states, heads of regional and national courts, legal practitioners, academics, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.
The gathering comes at a significant point for the regional court, with participants expected to examine how the ECOWAS justice system can remain effective and accessible while responding to changing legal, technological and human rights challenges across the region.
The conference, themed “ECOWAS Court of Justice at the Crossroads: Justice, Innovation, Human Rights Protection and the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa,” will focus attention on the Court’s evolving role in regional integration.
A major area of discussion will be the enforcement and compliance with decisions of the Court, alongside developments in human rights jurisprudence and mechanisms for strengthening protection for individuals within the region.
Participants will also examine the growing legal implications of artificial intelligence and data protection, reflecting the expanding impact of digital technologies on governance, privacy and the administration of justice.
Other sessions will consider the proposed appellate chamber, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, environmental justice, as well as refugee protection and forced displacement.
According to the organisers, the sessions are designed not only to examine existing challenges but also to identify practical approaches for improving regional justice delivery and strengthening cooperation among judicial institutions.
The conference will feature plenary sessions, expert panels, roundtable discussions and an exhibition, providing opportunities for legal practitioners, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop possible responses to emerging regional challenges.
The outcome is expected to include an Outcome Document containing strategic recommendations on the future direction of the Court and broader regional integration efforts.
The Dakar meeting therefore places the ECOWAS Court at the centre of a wider conversation about how regional institutions can strengthen access to justice, protect human rights, respond to technological change and improve compliance with judicial decisions across West Africa.
