At 50, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deserves to celebrate itself, not just for turning a milestone, but also to deeply reflect on the shared vision of economic prosperity, peace, and stability that informed its foundation. No doubt the economic bloc faces challenges in the changing dynamics of the modern world in the years ahead.
ECOWAS was established on May 28, 1975, based on a philosophy centred on building bridges across the troubled waters of economic disintegration, fragmentation, and protectionism. A group of 15 West African countries—namely Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo—constituted the pioneer members. They envisioned an integrated West Africa that would break free from the shackles of colonial legacies: poverty, dependence, and political fragmentation.
Fifty years on, ECOWAS has grown into a regional powerhouse, navigating the quest to promote economic integration, peacekeeping, security, and free movement within the sub-region. Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, played a significant role not only in the founding of ECOWAS but also in fostering regional cooperation.
Since its inception in 1975, ECOWAS has made commendable progress in galvanizing the countries in the sub-region and has remained a vital pillar of West African regionalism, with laudable efforts in promoting peace, integration, and economic cooperation.
Today, citizens of ECOWAS member states can travel visa-free within the region for up to 90 days, thanks to ECOWAS’ initiatives. The sub-regional body has also introduced biometric ID cards to facilitate cross-border movement and reduce identity fraud.
However, a key element of ECOWAS’ mission is fostering peace and stability and resolving regional conflicts. To achieve success in this area, ECOWAS created the ECOWAS Monitoring Group, popularly known as ECOMOG which helped it achieve significant victories in several peacekeeping missions. It has intervened in various African countries—especially Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia—to restore peace and democratic governance.
For instance, in Sierra Leone, ECOWAS intervened to resolve the civil war that devastated the country during the 1990s. Once again, ECOWAS deployed peacekeepers under ECOMOG, playing a critical role in maintaining stability and securing a peace agreement in 1999. These interventions earned ECOWAS praise for its proactive approach to peacekeeping and its commitment to regional stability. Notably, ECOWAS also intervened against the unconstitutional change of government in The Gambia in 2017.
More importantly, the creation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) in 1979 was a step in the right direction. The scheme aimed to remove tariffs and facilitate intra-regional trade, laying the groundwork for greater economic integration. Additionally, ECOWAS has focused on improving transportation infrastructure across the region—such as roads and railways—to boost economic connectivity.
The establishment of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development in 1975 was another significant milestone. It has provided funding for development projects and fostered economic growth across member states.
To uphold justice and the rule of law, ECOWAS has established the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the ECOWAS Parliament, and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). ECOWAS has also coordinated regional responses to epidemics such as Ebola and COVID-19.
Despite these laudable achievements, ECOWAS is currently facing seemingly intractable challenges that threaten to tear it apart. Over the past two decades, there has been a troubling rise in military coups across the region, undermining the democratic values that ECOWAS initially championed. For example, the recent military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger—and the subsequent withdrawal of the three Sahel states (excluding Guinea) from ECOWAS—delivered a significant blow to the bloc’s unity and stability.
Beyond undermining ECOWAS’ legitimacy, unity, and credibility, the withdrawal has fueled anti-ECOWAS sentiment that may be difficult to erase. Despite several efforts by ECOWAS leaders to reintegrate the three countries, they have vowed not to return, claiming that leaving ECOWAS serves the best interests of their populations. They accuse ECOWAS of imposing “inhumane and irresponsible” coup-related sanctions while failing to address their internal security crises.
What is especially worrisome is that this shift signals a potential realignment with foreign powers such as Russia or France. Some AES countries have already begun distancing themselves from traditional Western alliances. This could lead to greater geopolitical fragmentation in West Africa, with countries aligning themselves with external actors instead of pursuing a united regional front within ECOWAS.
Another major challenge facing ECOWAS is the rise of terrorism and extremist violence in the sub-region. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, in particular, have become hotbeds for groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. These extremist groups have destabilised large areas, spreading violence and terror across the region and beyond.
According to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa, especially the Sahel. Although ECOWAS has worked tirelessly—often in partnership with the African Union and other regional organisations—to counter these threats, the challenge remains immense. The withdrawal of the three Sahel states has hindered the coordination of counter-terrorism operations, leaving member states increasingly vulnerable to extremist influence.
The resulting instability has displaced millions, disrupted livelihoods, and deepened the humanitarian crisis across the region. ECOWAS has struggled to address the root causes of extremism—such as poor governance, economic disenfranchisement, and environmental degradation—leaving its peacekeeping missions overstretched and underfunded.
Despite policies promoting free movement, border closures and harassment of citizens still occur across the ECOWAS sub-region. Many trade and integration policies suffer from poor enforcement at the national level. The ECOWAS single currency project—the “Eco”—has been repeatedly delayed due to a lack of macroeconomic convergence and political will. Intra-regional trade remains below 15 per cent, far behind other regions such as the European Union.
ECOWAS is often seen as an elite-driven organisation with minimal grassroots engagement. Therefore, for ECOWAS to remain relevant, it must adapt to the evolving political landscape and strengthen its connection with the people it serves.
Beyond lamentation, West Africa’s demographic growth challenges individuals, non-governmental organisations, and political leaders in West Africa to join hands in tackling poverty in West Africa. It is deeply unfortunate that despite the financial and technical assistance reportedly flowing into Africa from abroad, numerous African countries remain plagued by intolerable poverty, conflict, disease, natural disasters, illiteracy, maternal and infant mortality, and malnutrition. This is why the vibrant youth population—which constitutes the majority in West Africa—must be harnessed as a productive workforce to drive food production and accelerate economic growth.
As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary with pomp and pageantry, the sub-regional bloc must forge a people-centred community rooted in shared values, prosperity, and peace. Leaders should work towards a reinvigorated ECOWAS that strengthens democratic institutions, promotes inclusive economic policies, and fosters regional industrialisation.
