ECOWAS at 50: Progress Challenges and Prospect for the Future of Regional Integration.
By Raymond Enoch
As ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, it stands as both a symbol of perseverance and a testimony to the power of regional integration among others in Africa.
Over the course of half a century, now, ECOWAS has risen from its origins in the Cold War era in the late 1970s to become a pioneering force for economic, political, and social cooperation in West Africa. Despite facing turbulent times recently, ECOWAS journey has been one of significant progress, even as it grapples with current political challenges of Military regimes in Mali Niger and Burkina Faso
Founded in 1975, ECOWAS was created in a climate of political instability, largely by military regimes intent on promoting economic integration while maintaining regional peace and security. Fifty years later, it has achieved numerous milestones that have shaped the West African region, from the liberalization of trade to the establishment of peacekeeping mechanisms aimed at ensuring stability within the region at all times
One of ECOWAS’s key successes lies in its push for economic integration. Trade liberalization within the region has resulted in a notable boost to intra-African trade, which now accounts for about 15 percent of the region’s total trade. Notably, the trade flows between countries in ECOWAS have led to increased movement of goods such as meat, vegetables, and manufactured products, with relatively low tariffs. This has been a crucial step toward creating an integrated West African economy.
The region’s economic output, measured by GDP growth, has seen ups and downs over the years. Despite setbacks, such as the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, ECOWAS has been resilient. After experiencing a 5.2 percent growth in 2011, the region faced a dip to just 0.6 percent in 2016. However, by 2022, the region rebounded with a 3.9 percent growth rate and continues to show signs of recovery, with projections indicating a rise to 4.3 percent by 2025.
However, inflation remains a persistent issue for ECOWAS economies, with rates peaking at 17.3 percent in 2022. This has been largely attributed to currency depreciation and regional instability, but the bloc is working to stabilize these challenges and chart a sustainable path forward.
The economic contributions of member states such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire have been central to ECOWAS’s stability. Nigeria, as the largest economy in West Africa, accounts for a staggering 68.2 percent of the bloc’s GDP, followed by Ghana (9.3 percent) and Côte d’Ivoire (7.8 percent). These countries, alongside other emerging economies like Senegal and Benin, are driving the region’s growth, particularly within the tertiary sector, which now represents more than half (51.3 percent) of the region’s GDP.
Despite the success stories, ECOWAS is not without its challenges. The secondary sector, including industries like manufacturing and energy, has seen a decline in its contribution to GDP. From 24.4 percent in 2010, it fell to 21.0 percent in 2022. Addressing these disparities and creating more diversified economies across the region will be essential in the coming decades.
Security challenges continue to pose significant obstacles to ECOWAS’s success. The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in recent years underscores the political tensions within the region. Despite this, ECOWAS has consistently intervened to maintain peace and promote good governance, deploying peacekeeping missions and mediating in political crises. Its work on fair elections and the rule of law has undoubtedly contributed to the democratic strengthening of several member states.
The upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations will be a moment of reflection for ECOWAS. It will provide an opportunity to look back on the many successes that have shaped the region, from the liberation of trade to the advancements in regional security and governance. Yet, it will also offer a moment to look ahead at the challenges still facing West Africa, including political instability, economic inequality, and climate change.
As ECOWAS moves toward its vision for 2050, it remains clear that the road ahead will require innovation, unity, and a renewed commitment to regional cooperation. With its golden anniversary on the horizon, ECOWAS continues to dream big for a prosperous and stable future—one that is deeply interwoven with the ideals of integration, peace, and sustainable development.
In its next 50 years, the hope is that ECOWAS will not only overcome its challenges but will become a shining example of what can be achieved when nations come together to achieve a shared vision of progress.
