ECOWAS @50: Promise, Pitfalls, and the Future
ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary represents a key moment to evaluate its legacy. Over the past five decades, the bloc has promoted regional trade, political stability, and conflict resolution through initiatives such as the Trade Liberalisation Scheme, ECOMOG peacekeeping missions, and democratic governance protocols. Yet, this milestone comes amid growing political instability, military coups, and economic disparities. The withdrawal of countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger highlights mounting dissatisfaction and calls for a reassessment of ECOWAS’s approach and relevance in a changing regional landscape.
ECOWAS: Purpose and Proof of Relevance
Long before colonial borders were drawn, West Africa had traditions of regional cooperation and integration. Historic empires such as the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire, and the Oyo Empire thrived on trans-regional trade, shared governance structures, and fluid ethnic and linguistic ties that transcended modern national boundaries. Founded in 1975, ECOWAS built on West Africa’s precolonial traditions of cooperation to promote economic integration, political stability, and postcolonial self-reliance. Over the years, ECOWAS has proven its relevance in several ways. It has been a key actor in responding to political instability through peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. It has also taken an increasingly assertive stance against unconstitutional changes of government, most notably through sanctions and diplomatic interventions.
Economically, ECOWAS has facilitated trade agreements, supported infrastructure projects, and promoted the free movement of people across member states. Through these initiatives, ECOWAS has attempted to live up to its founding purpose: to foster collective progress by building on West Africa’s long-standing traditions of unity and cooperation.
Nigeria and Togo played pivotal roles in addressing the need for regional unity. Nigeria contributed significantly by leveraging its political influence, economic resources, and leadership to galvanize support among member states. Togo, located strategically in West Africa, played a pivotal role in facilitating essential diplomatic dialogues among West African states in the early 1970s. It hosted critical negotiations among French-speaking and English-speaking countries, which were divided by colonial history and different political interests. Lomé became a neutral ground where representatives from nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and others could engage in discussions. These dialogues were instrumental in overcoming political and economic differences and reaching a consensus on the formation of a regional organization.
As a result of these negotiations, the Treaty of Lagos was signed in 1975, officially founding ECOWAS. This moment marked a significant turning point in West African regional cooperation, as it was the culmination of years of discussions that aimed to promote peace, stability, and development across the region.
Milestones in ECOWAS’s Evolution
ECOWAS’s early efforts to promote economic cooperation were evident through initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, both designed to enhance regional trade and integration. These efforts laid the foundation for greater economic collaboration, though full integration remains an ongoing process.
The 1990s marked a pivotal period in ECOWAS’s peacekeeping role. The deployment of the ECOMOG peacekeeping force in Liberia during the civil war in 1990 was its first major military intervention, aimed at restoring stability and enforcing ceasefires. This was followed by another intervention in Sierra Leone in 1997, further solidifying ECOWAS’s capacity to intervene in regional conflicts and contribute to post-conflict reconstruction.
In 2001, ECOWAS adopted the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which set out principles to promote democracy and political stability, including regular elections, respect for term limits, and a commitment to combating unconstitutional changes of government. While this strengthened the organization’s political mandate, its enforcement has faced challenges, particularly as seen with the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The organization’s efforts to address regional instability continued into the 2020s, with the adoption of Vision 2050 in December 2021. This strategic framework aims to address persistent socio-economic inequalities and foster inclusivity, sustainability, and development across the region.
The Promise and Pitfalls of ECOWAS Integration
ECOWAS’s efforts toward regional economic integration have revolved around harmonizing trade policies and encouraging mobility within the region. The establishment of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) in 2015 sought to unify customs duties across member states, providing a cohesive framework for trade. The ECOWAS Passport, facilitating visa-free travel, reflects the bloc’s commitment to regional mobility. However, the ECO currency project remains stalled due to macroeconomic disparities. Countries like Nigeria, the largest economy in the region, have expressed concerns about the potential risks of adopting the ECO without adequate safeguards.
Politically, ECOWAS has emerged as a vital mediator, often intervening to address governance crises. This includes sanctions against military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. The bloc has also played key roles in earlier crises, such as Liberia (1989), Sierra Leone (1997–1999), and Côte d'Ivoire (early 2000s), deploying diplomatic and military tools to restore order. While interventions, such as in The Gambia in 2016, highlight ECOWAS’ success in enforcing democratic transitions, critics argue that the organization sometimes overlooks the unique domestic contexts of member states, as seen in Mali.
The legacy of colonization continues to shape ECOWAS’ integration efforts, influencing both the economic and political landscape of West Africa. The different colonial histories (French, British, and Portuguese) have led to divergent economic policies, legal systems, and political cultures among member states. These colonial legacies have left a significant mark on ECOWAS’ initiatives, often complicating efforts at harmonizing economic practices and policies. For example, the CFA franc, used by former French colonies, continues to be a point of contention, particularly among Anglophone states that have historically been wary of French influence in West African affairs.
Foreign influences, particularly from global powers and international organizations, have also shaped ECOWAS’ trajectory. The influence of the European Union, the United States, and China, as well as the economic ties these powers have with individual ECOWAS member states, often impact the organization’s ability to pursue an independent regional agenda.
Public awareness and trust in ECOWAS vary significantly across the region. According to a 2020 Afrobarometer survey, only 55% of West Africans reported having a clear knowledge of ECOWAS. This knowledge gap is even more pronounced in rural areas, where access to ECOWAS initiatives is limited. In countries like Ghana and Nigeria, however, higher awareness correlates with stronger support for ECOWAS’ economic and political contributions. Afrobarometer’s findings highlight the need for ECOWAS to enhance citizen engagement through localized outreach and educational campaigns to increase its relevance and impact at the grassroots level.
Fault Lines in a Fragile Union
ECOWAS, initially formed by 15 founding members, has faced significant challenges to its integration efforts, especially with the departure of key members. Mauritania withdrew in 2000 due to political and economic disagreements, aligning more with the Arab Maghreb Union, highlighting tensions between regional cooperation and national interests.
The recent exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has posed a serious setback to the bloc. Their departures, driven by political and security crises, underline the difficulty of maintaining unity within ECOWAS , and expose the limits of the organization’s ability to manage internal political instability and enforce democratic norms. The losses highlight the tension between national sovereignty and regional cooperation. Countries leaving ECOWAS may feel their sovereignty is better protected outside the bloc, especially if they view ECOWAS’ interventions as intrusions.
While the bloc’s mandate of economic integration and political stability has positioned it as a key regional actor, structural issues continue to hinder its effectiveness. One major fault line lies in the unequal distribution of economic benefits, which fuels discontent among member states. The divide between Francophone and Anglophone countries has also complicated consensus-building on initiatives such as the proposed Eco, the ECOWAS single currency.
Institutional fragility is further amplified by the concentration of decision-making power in the Authority of Heads of State and Government, which often sidelines the Commission, the Council of Ministers, and other key bodies, such as the ECOWAS Parliament and Court of Justice. Decisions regarding regional security and economic policies are often made without proper consultation with these bodies. This centralization has weakened efforts to realize the “ECOWAS of the Peoples” vision, aspiring to greater citizen participation and regional accountability. The ECOWAS Court of Justice has frequently faced challenges, with member states often disregarding its rulings. Notably, the Nigerian government’s non-compliance with the Court’s rulings, including the case involving the closure of opposition parties in 2019, has highlighted the weakness of the institution.
ECOWAS’s response to the 2023 coup in Niger, including threats of military intervention, drew sharp criticism from international observers, including the United Nations and the African Union. Many argued that the interventionist approach deviated from ECOWAS’ traditionally diplomatic and preventive strategies, raising concerns about its alignment with its established norms.
In January 2025, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally withdrew from ECOWAS, citing overreach and punitive sanctions that failed to reflect local realities. Their creation of the Liptako-Gourma Alliance marked the beginning of this collective shift, underscoring dissatisfaction with ECOWAS’ approach to security and governance. This exit raises significant questions about ECOWAS’ cohesion and long-term viability. Critics, including analysts from the African Centre for Strategic Studies, have raised concerns about the future of ECOWAS, arguing that the bloc may struggle to maintain unity and influence without the participation of key regional players.
As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary, it must urgently adapt to internal and external pressures by reforming its institutions, diversifying its economies, strengthening security and climate resilience, and deepening citizen engagement as well as global partnerships to remain effective and relevant.
About the Author
Peter Yohanna Kazahchiang is an Assistant Programmes Officer at the Centre for Democracy and Development