WED 2025: ECOWAS Reaffirms Commitment to Curbing Plastic Pollution Among Member States.
By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its firm commitment to addressing the escalating challenge of plastic pollution across West Africa, in a solemn declaration made to mark World Environment Day (WED) 2025, celebrated globally under the theme: “Together We Can Beat Plastic Pollution.”
This annual observance provides an opportunity for nations and institutions worldwide to reflect on and reinforce their dedication to environmental sustainability. For ECOWAS, it marks a renewed call to collective action across its fifteen Member States in the face of a rapidly worsening plastic waste crisis that threatens ecosystems, public health, and the region’s socio-economic development.
According to the World Bank, West Africa generates nearly 8 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually, with projections indicating a 52% increase by 2030 if no significant action is taken. Alarmingly, over 80% of this waste is poorly managed, leading to severe consequences such as waterway blockages, soil and water contamination, increased flooding, and detrimental effects on industries like fishing and tourism, which are vital to the region’s blue economy.
In recognition of the cross-border nature of the problem, the ECOWAS Commission emphasized the need for a harmonised and regionally coordinated approach. This led to the adoption of Regulation C/REG.17/12/23 in December 2023, which mandates Member States to align their national plastic-related regulations and adopt international best practices in plastic waste management. This landmark regulation forms the legal backbone of ECOWAS’s broader strategic efforts to curb plastic pollution.
Building on this legal framework, ECOWAS is finalizing a draft Regional Plastics Management Plan, which will soon be submitted for consideration and adoption by the Community’s governing bodies. Developed in partnership with the World Bank, this regional plan is a central component of ECOWAS Vision 2050, a long-term roadmap aimed at transforming West Africa into an environmentally sustainable and economically resilient region.
The draft plan outlines a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategy, including:
The phased ban on non-recyclable plastics to reduce long-term environmental damage,
Substantial investment in recycling and waste management infrastructure,
Public awareness campaigns aimed at behavioral change and citizen engagement,
Promotion of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic through targeted research and innovation.
In her statement on behalf of the Commission, Mrs. Massandjé Touré-Litsé, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, emphasized the shared responsibility of Member States in taking decisive action. “This solemn declaration reflects the unwavering resolve of our Member States to move toward a plastic-free future,” she said. “Together, we will play our full role in the global fight against this environmental scourge.”
She reaffirmed ECOWAS’s readiness to work closely with governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to implement sustainable solutions. “The ECOWAS Commission remains resolutely committed to working alongside Member States to beat plastic pollution,” she added.
As the region joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Environment Day, ECOWAS’s declaration signals a pivotal step in galvanizing political will, institutional alignment, and community engagement towards safeguarding West Africa’s environment for future generations.
