This meeting comes a few months after the technical launch workshop held in Accra in September 2025. It marks the transition from the shared regional strategic framework to the concrete implementation of interventions in the 17 participating countries. The PACBAO-2, which covers the period 2024–2028, builds on the actions undertaken during the first phase between 2018 and 2023 and aims to intensify intra-regional trade in livestock and meat, a key sector for food security and the livelihoods of millions of families in West Africa and the Sahel.

In opening the ceremony, Francis Dabiré, representing the Acting Executive Director of ARAA, welcomed the participants and emphasized the strategic nature of this activity. He noted that the partner organizations – PRA-Marchés/CILSS, COFENABVI-AO, CAEASA, and AOCTAH – were identified from the outset of the program's development due to their leading role in structuring regional value chains. “More than partners, you are our colleagues,” he said. ARAA's vision is clear: to successfully implement this Phase 2 together. "Our success will be collective, and so will our responsibility," he affirmed in a friendly and participatory atmosphere.

Byll Orou Kperou Gado, Assistant Project Manager for PACBAO2, then emphasized the training's main objective: to ensure that all parties have the same level of information and are familiar with the administrative, financial, accounting, and technical procedures that will govern the execution of their activities. According to him, this shared understanding is essential to ensure rigorous and transparent management of the resources provided by the Swiss Cooperation, the program's main donor. He stressed that this activity will also serve as an induction for the new members of the Regional Program Coordination Unit (RPCU), recently recruited to support operational implementation.

The PACBAO-2 Coordinator, Fousseni Ouattara, highlighted the importance of teamwork. In his address, he encouraged participants to interact, share their experiences, and strengthen cohesion among the various institutions involved. “Teamwork is not just a slogan; it is essential for achieving sustainable results. If we work together transparently and constructively, the program’s impact could even extend beyond its initial scope and lead us to new projects,” he stated.

The discussions over these three days will cover a wide range of topics, from ECOWAS administrative and financial procedures to reporting and expenditure justification mechanisms, procurement procedures, monitoring and evaluation tools (including the MESECOPS system), and requirements for communication, visibility, and knowledge sharing. One of the key agenda items will be dedicated to the operational planning of the 2026 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB).

Beyond its technical content, this first step represents a pivotal moment for the program's institutional dynamics. It will strengthen trust between ARAA and the four operational partners, clarify the roles and responsibilities of each, and ensure that everyone is fully engaged with the governance tools that will guarantee accountability to Swiss Cooperation, beneficiaries, and all stakeholders.

The workshop will continue until December 11, with the ultimate goal of producing a joint operational planning matrix for 2026. This matrix will constitute the first concrete milestone in the implementation of PACBAO-2 and will open the way for the execution of activities in the various target countries.