The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in close collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and with financial support from the European Union (EU), will host the official handover ceremony of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) to national and regional authorities on 8 April 2025, at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.
This high-level event marks the culmination of more than a decade of strategic cooperation to equip Member States with a robust, integrated, and interoperable system for police information exchange — a cornerstone of ECOWAS’ efforts under its Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (PAPS) to strengthen regional security and promote institutional ownership.
The WAPIS Programme, developed and implemented by INTERPOL and co-funded by the EU, was initiated following a call from ECOWAS Member States and the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO), in response to the rising threats of transnational organised crime, terrorism, illicit trafficking, and other cross-border security challenges. It aims to enhance law enforcement coordination by enabling the structured and secure exchange of real-time criminal data across the region.
Through the establishment of Data Collection and Registration Centres (DACORE), the system facilitates access to information on suspects, stolen vehicles, firearms, forged documents, and other key data essential to effective investigation and prosecution. WAPIS connects these centres to INTERPOL’s global I-24/7 network, reinforcing national capacities and fostering operational cooperation.
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All ECOWAS Member States are engaged in the initiative, with the majority already operating national DACORE platforms and advancing the process of legislative alignment and technical integration. The Programme reflects the growing emphasis placed by ECOWAS on sustainability, strategic autonomy, and harmonisation of legal frameworks, in line with the Supplementary Act A/SA.1/01/10 on Personal Data Protection.
The handover ceremony will feature high-level participation, including H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission; H.E. Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; senior representatives of INTERPOL; the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS; and members of WAPCCO.
The official transfer of WAPIS to national and regional authorities underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to building resilient security institutions and fostering a sense of regional responsibility. It also positions the Programme as a critical tool within the framework of ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Commission’s 4x4 Strategic Objectives, which prioritise governance, stability, digital transformation, and human security.
The Commission encourages continued investment in the WAPIS platform at national and cross-border levels, in order to expand its reach, strengthen data-driven policing, and ensure that the region remains prepared to address evolving threats with unity, professionalism, and shared purpose — for the benefit of the people of West Africa.
