From Vision to Victory, ECOWAS Turns 50, Non-State Actors Call for a New Chapter
By Raymond Enoch
In less than a week time from now, marked by a reflection and renewed ambition, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) would be celebrating its 50th anniversary, underscoring five decades of regional solidarity, economic integration, and peace building across West African member States. As political leaders hailed its accomplishments, Non-State Actors (NSAs) have gathering a momentum through constructive dialogue to chart a reform agenda for ECOWAS Commission, calling for a more inclusive and people-driven ECOWAS for the next generation.
Established in 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos, ECOWAS was envisioned as a vehicle for regional cooperation among 15 West African countries though narratives might be changing a sort of. Over the years, it has grown into a major force for economic liberalization and conflict resolution, with a legacy that includes the ECOWAS Standby Force, the ECOWAS Passport, and interventions in crisis-affected countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali Gunea and even Ivory Coast.
ECOWAS has made significant strides in uniting the region. Its institutions—the ECOWAS Commission, the Parliament, the Court of Justice, and the West African Health Organisation—have contributed to a shared West African identity and a vision of integration that few regional blocs in Africa have matched. Initiatives like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and protocols on free movement have opened doors for commerce and mobility.
But amidst the golden jubilee celebrations, voices of concern echoed just as loudly.
A collective of Non-State Actors, including the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa), the West Africa Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), the Parliamentary Network Africa, and other civic groups used the milestone to amplify long-standing calls for reform.
These NSAs are advocating for a transformation of ECOWAS into a more responsive, transparent, and inclusive institution. Central to their demands are:
A restructured ECOWAS that ensures meaningful engagement of civil society in decision-making
Greater accountability from ECOWAS institutions to citizens, not just governments
Stronger implementation mechanisms for human rights, democracy, and rule of law protocols
Enhanced youth and gender inclusion in leadership and programming
More deliberate responses to emerging challenges like digital governance, climate change, and insecurity
“This is not just about celebrating the past; it’s about shaping the future,” said a WADEMOS spokesperson. “We want an ECOWAS that listens, that partners, and that leads with integrity and urgency.”
The NSAs emphasized that while ECOWAS has been effective at responding to military coups and economic instability, its long-term legitimacy will depend on how it engages ordinary West Africans.
The call to action from these civil society coalitions is clear: ECOWAS must evolve from a largely intergovernmental body to a truly supranational force that empowers its people and acts as a guardian of democratic values and sustainable development.
As the region grapples with shifting political dynamics, growing youth populations, and complex global pressures, the ECOWAS of tomorrow must be more than just a legacy institution. It must be a living platform for transformation, guided not just by treaties and protocols, but by the aspirations of its people.
“ECOWAS has come a long way,” noted a representative from Parliamentary Network Africa. “But now is the time to build a new kind of leadership—one that is people-powered, principle-driven, and ready for the next 50 years.”
As West Africa looks ahead, the message from Non-State Actors is unmistakable: honor the legacy, but reform the institution. The next half-century must be defined by partnership, participation, and progress.
