As the Economic Community of West African States marks its 50th anniversary, GIFT HABIB reflects on its journey from an economic union to a regional powerhouse, navigating both triumphs and trials in its quest for unity and integration Almost fifty years ago, on May 28, 1975, the Economic Community of West African States was birthed,...
As the Economic Community of West African States marks its 50th anniversary, GIFT HABIB reflects on its journey from an economic union to a regional powerhouse, navigating both triumphs and trials in its quest for unity and integration
As ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary, its story is one of both remarkable successes and daunting challenges. The question now is whether this once promising regional organisation can adapt to the changing dynamics of the modern world.The founding of ECOWAS in 1975 was driven by a shared vision: a united West Africa, where the nations of the region could combine their economic, political, and social strengths to overcome poverty and instability.
The bloc also worked towards proposing a common market through the West African Monetary Zone in 2000, aimed at creating a single currency for the region, “the Eco.”ECOWAS ambitions were not just economic. A key element of its mission was fostering peace and stability, and it quickly became involved in resolving regional conflicts.
The establishment of the West African Standby Force further strengthened ECOWAS capacity to respond to crises. This rapid-response military force was designed to address security challenges across the region, and its success in Côte d’Ivoire during the post-election crisis of 2011 is another example of the growing influence in regional peace and security by the organisation.
ECOWAS also focused on enhancing regional education and capacity-building through initiatives aimed at fostering knowledge, leadership, and skills development. Programmes such as the European Union-ECOWAS Scholarship Programme have provided opportunities for young people from member states to pursue higher education and vocational training. This focus on education strengthens human capital in the region and promotes development.
According to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa into the sub-Saharan African region, largely in the Sahel region. The region is marked by vast economic disparities, with countries like Nigeria and Ghana experiencing growth, while others like Sierra Leone and Liberia facing high levels of poverty.The proposed common currency, the “Eco,” has also faced repeated delays, with member states unable to agree on the terms for its implementation.
In 2024, The ECOWAS Commission President lamented the low trade volume among member states. He said the intra-community trade stood at 12 per cent. On the whole, in Africa, the intra-continental trade was 20 per cent, which was extremely low.In addition to political and economic instability, West Africa faces significant humanitarian challenges. West Africa is home to some of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
West Africa is one of the most vulnerable in Africa to the effects of climate change. The Sahel, in particular, faces increasing desertification, while other areas experience frequent floods, droughts, and erratic rainfall. These climate-related issues have significantly impacted agriculture, which remains the backbone of many West African economies.
Akinkuolie pointed to the organisation’s past achievements such as the introduction of a common passport, the free movement of citizens, and peacekeeping efforts through ECOMOG as evidence of its enduring power. He believed that ECOWAS would not dissolve in the next 50 years and envisioned the eventual integration of all African regional organisations into a unified political and economic bloc, with a shared currency and common market.
Ogbole-Ode said, “From the perspective of its membership when it was founded in 1975 to its membership today, this regional economic community has been numerically weakened.” A foreign affairs analyst, Charles Onunaiju, noted the bloc’s failure to fully realise its initial economic goals since its establishment in 1975. Onunaiju pointed out that while ECOWAS has made progress in security cooperation, particularly with its involvement in Liberia and Sierra Leone, its economic objectives—such as free movement of goods and people, infrastructural connectivity, and a common currency—remain unmet.
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