Global InformationECOWAS information
Economic Community of West African States
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 Emblem
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 Member states Suspended states | |
| Headquarters | Abuja, Nigeria 9°2′31″N 7°31′30″E / 9.04194°N 7.52500°E |
| Official languages |
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| Member states | 15 members
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| Leaders | |
• Chairman | Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
• President of the Commission | Omar Touray |
• Speaker of the Parliament | Moustapha Cissé Lô |
| Establishment | 28 May 1975 |
• Treaty of Lagos | 28 May 1975[1] |
• Treaty Revision | 24 July 1993 |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,114,162 km2 (1,974,589 sq mi) (7th) |
| Population | |
• 2019 estimate | 387 million (3rd) |
• Density | 68.3/km2 (176.9/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2015 estimate |
• Total | US$1.483 trillion[2] (18th) |
• Per capita | US$4,247[3] |
| GDP (nominal) | estimate |
• Total | $816.4 billion[4] 2019 (21st) |
• Per capita | $2,089 |
| Currency |
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| Time zone | UTC-1 to +1 |
Website www | |
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS; also known as CEDEAO in French and Portuguese) is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. Collectively, these countries comprise an area of 5,114,162 km2 (1,974,589 sq mi) and have an estimated population of over 424.34 million.[5]
Considered one of the pillar regional blocs of the continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC), the stated goal of ECOWAS is to achieve "collective self-sufficiency" for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc by building a full economic and trading union. Additionally, ECOWAS aims to raise living standards and promote economic development.[6] The union was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version of the treaty was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin.[7]
ECOWAS's fundamental principles rely on equity, inter-dependence, solidarity, co-operation, nonaggression, regional peace, promotion of human rights, and economic and social justice.[8]
Notably among ECOWAS's protocols and plans are the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons, Residences and Establishment Protocol and the Ecotour Action Plan 2019–2029. The Free Movement of Persons Protocol permits citizens the right to enter and reside in any member state's territory,[9] and the Ecotour Action Plan aims to develop and integrate the tourist industry of each member state.[10]
ECOWAS also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc's member countries at times of political instability and unrest.[11][12]
In 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from the bloc. The countries had been suspended from ECOWAS due to military takeovers of their respective governments. The announcement of the withdrawal of the three junta-led states came after ECOWAS had threatened to use military force, by deploying its standby force, should the coup leaders fail to reinstate constitutionally elected presidents and governments, a threat which ECOWAS lacked the support, wherewithal and institutional strength to follow through.[13]
- ^ "African Union". Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ Data. "GDP, PPP (current international $) | Table". World Bank. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ Data. "GNI per capita, PPP (current international $) | Table". World Bank. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ Data. "Enoch Randy Aikins (2023) West Africa/ECOWAS. Updated 7 June 2023. (current US$) | Table". futures.issafrica.org. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "Members of the ECOWAS – Economic Community of West African States". Worlddata.info. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)". United States Trade Representative. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ "Revised ECOWAS Treaty (1993) | International Investment Agreements Navigator | UNCTAD Investment Policy Hub". investmentpolicy.unctad.org. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Limited, Daniel Inaju-Challydoff. "Fundamental Principles | Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)". Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:4was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:6was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Adeyemi, Segun (6 August 2003). "West African Leaders Agree on Deployment to Liberia". Jane's Defence Weekly.
- ^ "The 5 previous West African military interventions". Yahoo News. AFP. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
- ^ "Ecowas' dilemma: Balancing principles and pragmatism - The Nordic Africa Institute NAI Policy Note 2024:1". nai.uu.se. Retrieved 11 April 2024.