Stakeholders push for unified engineering systems across sub-region
Efforts to harmonise engineering standards and strengthen professional integration across West Africa are set to gain renewed momentum, as stakeholders intensify calls for closer collaboration to support the region’s development agenda.
The move is expected to enhance cooperation among engineering institutions and promote common standards needed to drive infrastructure development, energy expansion, digital transformation and climate resilience across the sub-region.
The West African Federation of Engineering Organisations (WAFEO) has indicated that the renewed focus will feature prominently at its 2026 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In a statement copied to The Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, WAFEO explained that the conference would bring together engineering regulators, professional bodies, policymakers, academics, development partners and industry leaders from Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone West Africa.
The statement said participants would deliberate on the future of the engineering profession in the region and explore practical ways of strengthening cooperation.
The meeting, which is on the theme: ‘Advancing Engineering Standards and Professional Integration in West Africa: From Frameworks to Implementation,’ is expected to focus on translating existing regional frameworks into actionable measures that will improve engineering practice and institutional collaboration.
According to the statement, discussions will centre on implementing a regional standardisation roadmap, strengthening accreditation systems and improving quality assurance mechanisms within the profession.
Participants are also expected to examine ways of deepening collaboration among engineering institutions and regulatory bodies to ensure greater consistency in professional standards across member countries.
WAFEO noted that stronger alignment of engineering systems would be critical in supporting ongoing investments in infrastructure, energy, transportation and digital transformation, which continue to drive economic growth in the sub-region.
It added that delegates would identify priority actions and institutional responsibilities required to accelerate regional integration within the profession and ensure the effective implementation of agreed standards.
The conference will be held alongside the Biennial Conference of the Sierra Leone Institution of Engineers (SLIE), creating opportunities for technical exchanges, professional networking and discussions on engineering-led development.
The President of WAFEO, Dadley Toe of Liberia, was quoted as saying that the region’s development aspirations depended on strong engineering institutions, harmonised standards and effective cross-border cooperation.
He said the conference would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and focus on practical actions that would strengthen the engineering profession while contributing to regional integration and sustainable development.
WAFEO, through the statement, reaffirmed its commitment to promoting engineering excellence, professional cooperation and the harmonisation of standards across West Africa.
It added that the outcomes of the conference were expected to strengthen engineering capacity and support the region’s broader development agenda.
BY STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
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