An advocate for gender equity and civil society engagement, Elisha Attai, has been appointed Regional Director of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for the African Union Sixth Region Global (AU6RG).

At a joint announcement made by AU6RG and the Economic Community of African Sixth Region (ECASR), two organisations that serve as bridges between ECOWAS and the African diaspora, said the move has marked a notable step in the bloc’s efforts to integrate grassroots and diaspora voices into its regional development agenda.

Attai is the founder of the African Women in Leadership Organisation and convener of the African Women in Leadership Conference. These platforms, according to them, focus on empowering women and fostering civic participation across Africa and the global diaspora, particularly in line with ECOWAS’s objectives for greater regional integration and inclusive governance.

In the statement, Attai called the appointment “an honour and a responsibility,” adding that he intends to “engage civil society at every level—governmental, grassroots, and institutional—to build coalitions that strengthen civic engagement, advance policy dialogue, and promote social justice.”

As Regional Director, Attai will oversee civil society strategies across ECOWAS’s 15 member states, working with key stakeholders to foster stronger links between the African continent and its diaspora.

The role is a voluntary leadership position within AU6RG, which aligns with ECOWAS’s commitment to integrating civil society in the region’s policy-making process.

Attai’s international affiliations include his work with the African Diaspora Development Institute and the United Nations Women’s National Committee Canada. He was also recently honoured with the Joe Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work in leadership and public service.

Commenting, Secretary-General of AU6RG and Chairman of ECASR, Onyekachi Kalu, said, “Elisha Attai embodies the values of ECOWAS—unity, advocacy, and progress. His leadership will help connect African civil society to the diaspora and drive transformative change across the region, in line with ECOWAS’s mission for inclusive and sustainable development.”