Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the African Union (AU)
The Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are regional groups of African states. The RECs have developed individually and separated from one another and have different roles and structures. Generally, the purpose of the RECs is to facilitate economic integration between members of the individual regions and through the African Economic Community (AEC), which was established under the Abuja Treaty of 1991. The 1980 Lagos Plan of Action for the Development of Africa and the Abuja Treaty proposed the creation of RECs as the basis for wider African integration, with a view of regional and eventual continental integration. The RECs are increasingly involved in coordinating African Union (AU) Member States’ interests on topics such as peace and security, development and governance.
The RECs are closely integrated with the AU’s work and serve as its building blocks. The relationship between the AU and the RECs is mandated by the Abuja Treaty and the African Union Constitutive Act and guided by the 2008 Protocol on Relations between the Regional Economic Communities and the African Union, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Area of Peace and Security between the AU, RECs and the Coordinating Mechanisms of the Regional Standby Brigades of Eastern and Northern Africa. The AU recognizes eight RECs:
- Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
- Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN–SAD)
- East African Community (EAC)
- Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
In addition, the Eastern Africa Standby Force Coordination Mechanism (EASFCOM) and North African Regional Capability (NARC) have liaison offices at the AU. [Source: African Union, RECs]
History of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organization whose formation and evolution reflect the complex history, diverse cultures, and political dynamics of West Africa. To understand ECOWAS fully, one must consider the region's history long before the colonial period, through the tumult of post-independence struggles, to the modern-day institution it has become. Before the advent of colonialism, West Africa was home to several advanced and powerful empires and kingdoms, such as Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Wolof, and Benin. These empires, while varying in size and structure, shared common elements: complex trade networks, rich cultural traditions, and sophisticated political systems. Their economies were often based on agriculture, trade (especially that of gold, salt, and slaves), and military conquest. These empires spanned vast territories across what would later become modern-day West African states [Source: ECOWAS, History]. The region's cultural and linguistic diversity was already profound in the pre-colonial times, with different ethnic groups speaking languages such as Ewe, Fulfulde, Hausa, Mandingo, Wolof, and Yoruba. This diversity would later pose both a challenge and an opportunity for integration, as the region’s political, social, and economic systems were deeply intertwined with local traditions and trade routes that predated colonial boundaries [Source: ECOWAS, History].
The imposition of European colonialism in the 19th century significantly altered these dynamics, carving up the region into artificial borders that disregarded historical trade networks and cultural boundaries. These new national borders would later become the foundation of the 15-member states of ECOWAS. [Source: Britannica, ECOWAS] During the colonial era, West Africa was divided into several spheres of European influence, primarily French, British, and Portuguese colonies, alongside independent Liberia. The colonial powers created distinct administrative and economic systems that affected the region’s post-independence development. The British, for instance, introduced a more indirect form of rule that allowed for the retention of local rulers and traditional structures. In contrast, the French pursued direct rule and assimilation, imposing their language and culture. Despite these divisions, there were efforts at regional integration even before the formal creation of ECOWAS. In 1945, the French colonies in West Africa adopted the CFA franc, a currency union aimed at facilitating trade among the French-speaking countries of the region. While the initiative was economic in nature, it highlighted the potential for cooperation among West African states. Further integration efforts followed in the 1960s, after the wave of independence swept across the region. In 1964, Liberian President William Tubman proposed an economic union for West Africa, leading to the 1965 agreement between Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. However, it was not until the early 1970s that the idea of a more comprehensive regional union began to take shape. [Source: Britannica, ECOWAS]
The concept of a union for West African states gained momentum in 1972, when Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma toured the region in support of the idea. Their efforts culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Lagos in 1975, which established ECOWAS as a regional economic community. The initial goal of ECOWAS was to promote economic cooperation and development, particularly through trade liberalization and joint infrastructure projects. While ECOWAS began as an economic initiative, the geopolitical climate of the 1980s and 1990s necessitated a broader focus. Political instability and military coups in the region, coupled with the growing importance of cooperation in the security sector, led to the expansion of ECOWAS’s mandate. This culminated in the 1993 revision of the Treaty of Lagos, which added political and military cooperation to its objectives. The Revised ECOWAS Treaty of 1993 thus marked the transition of ECOWAS from an economic organization to a more comprehensive regional bloc with a commitment to political stability and peace. ECOWAS emerged from the post-colonial period as a key vehicle for regional integration. In the years following its formation, the organization faced the challenge of uniting states with varying colonial legacies, differing political systems, and divergent economic interests. The bloc initially consisted of former French, British, and Portuguese colonies, alongside Liberia. However, Mauritania's withdrawal in 1999 and its shift towards the Arab Maghreb Union, reduced the membership to 15 states [Source: ECOWAS, History].
Over time, ECOWAS played a significant role in fostering political stability and security in West Africa. The organization responded to a series of military coups, ethnic conflicts, and political unrest that marked the region in the 1980s and 1990s. A series of protocols and mechanisms, such as the 1978 Protocol on Non-Aggression and the 1981 Protocol on Mutual Assistance in Defense, were developed to manage these challenges. These agreements formed the basis for ECOWAS's increasingly prominent role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution. ECOWAS’s first significant military intervention came in 1990, when the bloc intervened in Liberia to stop the civil war that had broken out. The ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), a multi-national force, was deployed to help restore order. ECOMOG would later intervene in Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, reinforcing ECOWAS’s role as a regional peacekeeping force [Source: ECOWAS, History].
In the 2000s, ECOWAS increasingly focused on regional security, conflict prevention, and the promotion of democracy. In 2001, it adopted the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which established mechanisms for addressing electoral disputes, promoting human rights, and ensuring the rule of law. These efforts gained recognition, and ECOWAS has played an important role in monitoring elections and mediating political crises in several countries, including Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and The Gambia. The organization’s peacekeeping operations expanded in the 2010s, with ECOWAS intervening militarily in Mali in 2013 following a coup d’etat and jihadist insurgency. ECOWAS also worked to restore democracy in The Gambia after the 2017 political crisis, demonstrating its commitment to regional peace and stability. However, despite these efforts, ECOWAS has faced significant challenges in recent years. Western Africa has seen a resurgence of military coups, with Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso experiencing coups in the early 2020s. In 2023, Niger also fell to a military coup, leading ECOWAS to consider military intervention to restore democratic governance. The response to these coups d’etat has been mixed, with the organization’s ability to enforce its decisions sometimes questioned. The issue of military governance in the region was underscored by the formation of a political union in 2024 by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), aimed at creating a mutual defense pact and challenging ECOWAS’s authority [Source: ECOWAS, Basic Information].
As of October 2024, ECOWAS has 15 member States:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cape Verde
- Cote d’Ivoire
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Senegal
- Togo
Mauritania is a former member state of ECOWAS: the country was a part of the REC until the end of 1999, when it withdrew from ECOWAS and joined UMA.
Structure and organizations of ECOWAS
ECOWAS is structured to support regional integration, economic cooperation, and socio-political cohesion among its 15 member states. ECOWAS is organized through a variety of institutions and specialized agencies that focus on areas such as trade, economic development, justice, and governance, all essential to its vision of creating a unified, borderless West African region where citizens can freely access resources, services, and opportunities within a sustainable environment [Source: ECOWAS, Institutions and Agencies].
The Authority of Heads of State and Government is the supreme decision-making body within ECOWAS, composed of the leaders of member states. It directs policy, coordinates the economic, scientific, technical, cultural, and social policies, and oversees the functioning of other ECOWAS institutions. The Authority appoints the President of the ECOWAS Commission and makes binding decisions on member states, ensuring alignment with ECOWAS goals and initiatives. Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, the ECOWAS Commission is the main administrative body responsible for implementing ECOWAS policies. The Commission is led by a President, a Vice President, and 12 Commissioners who oversee various issues. It manages the region's development programs, coordinates meetings of sectoral ministers, prepares and executes the community budget, and ensures that the policies set by the Authority are enacted efficiently [Source: ECOWAS, Institutions and Agencies]. The ECOWAS Parliament represents the Assembly of the peoples of the community. Its political structure includes the Plenary, the Bureau of the Parliament, and the Conference of Bureau, working to give a voice to the region's citizens in ECOWAS affairs. Established to ensure the observance of law and equity, the Community Court of Justice interprets and applies the provisions of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS and other legal frameworks governing the regional organization. Comprising five judges, the court handles cases that address conflicts or misinterpretations within the community's regulations and decisions. Lastly, the Council of Ministers assists the Authority by reviewing policies and regulations, approving budgets, and supporting policy harmonization across the region [Source: ECOWAS, Institutions].
Among the ECOWAS Specialized Agencies, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) is based in Lomé, Togo, and it is the community’s financial institution, providing funding and development support across member states. It focuses on projects in infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications, along with poverty alleviation initiatives, supporting both the public and private sectors. The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is Responsible for public health initiatives in the region and promotes collaboration on healthcare and disease control. The Inter-governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in West Africa (GIABA) is focused on security and legal enforcement, and it plays a crucial role in safeguarding the region from financial crimes that threaten its stability. ECOWAS also has agencies dedicated to specific areas, such as the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) for monetary cooperation, the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the West African Power Pool, the ECOWAS Gender and Development Centre, and the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre. Each agency targets strategic priorities for regional integration and sustainable development [Source: ECOWAS, Institutions].
ECOWAS envisions transforming from a "Community of States" to a "Community of People," fostering regional ownership of its goals. By establishing free movement, unified trade practices, and robust economic frameworks, ECOWAS aims to create a peaceful and prosperous West African region by 2050. Through its complex structure and diverse institutions, ECOWAS is not only a trading bloc but also a vital political and development entity, working to realize its founders' vision of a cohesive and thriving West African community [Source: ECOWAS, Institutions and agencies].
Most important projects of ECOWAS
ECOWAS has implemented regional projects in nine key areas:
- Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization
- Elections Observations Missions
- Conflict Prevention, Peace and Security
- Water Resources
- Trade
- Economic Affairs
- Human Development and Social Affairs
- Agriculture and Foods Security
- Regional Affairs
These areas have been defined as the most important under the Vision 2050 general plan of action for ECOWAS. ECOWAS also runs several different programs aimed at fostering socio-economic development, peace, security, and integration across the West African region. These programs are spearheaded by the Social Affairs & Gender Directorate and focus on key areas such as youth empowerment, gender equality, drug control, sports development, child welfare, civil society participation, employment, and entrepreneurship. Each program aims to improve the quality of life for the people of West Africa while contributing to regional stability and prosperity. ECOWAS is committed to promoting youth development and empowerment, recognizing that young people are central to the region’s future. The youth development program mobilizes young individuals to contribute effectively to the region’s economic, social, and cultural development. The program includes capacity-building workshops on issues like entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and enterprise development. ECOWAS also encourages youth participation in regional socio-cultural activities, such as the ECOWAS Peace Pageant and recreational sports, to foster a sense of regional integration and solidarity [Source: ECOWAS, Human Development and Social Affairs].
Drug trafficking, abuse, and related crimes pose significant threats to peace, security, and development in West Africa. The ECOWAS drug control program works to reduce the incidence of drug trafficking and abuse across member states. The program aims to strengthen regional capacity to monitor, coordinate, and harmonize drug policies in line with the ECOWAS Political Declaration and Regional Action Plans. Key initiatives include improving drug advisory and monitoring capacities, harmonizing data collection on drug abuse, and fostering law enforcement and judicial cooperation to combat organized drug-related crimes. ECOWAS views sports as an important instrument for peace, integration, and development. The sports development program promotes sports as a means of fostering regional unity and enhancing the health and well-being of citizens. ECOWAS encourages sporting activities and works to mobilize resources from partners to build the capacity of member states in sports development. By facilitating cooperation in youth and sports, the program fosters the exchange of best practices, training, and the development of innovative actions at the community level.
The child development program of ECOWAS is designed to promote welfare and rights of children across West Africa. It focuses on ensuring that member states adhere to international conventions on the rights of children, with an emphasis on education, protection, and healthcare. The program also strengthens the capacity of social service providers and childcare agencies to better care for and protect children. Through various initiatives, ECOWAS aims to ensure that the region's children have access to quality services and a nurturing environment for their development. ECOWAS recognizes the crucial role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in promoting regional integration and development. The civil society program supports the participation of CSOs in advocating for regional integration issues through research, policy analysis, and networking. It works to establish regional CSO forums for exchanging ideas, sharing good practices, and coordinating interventions. Additionally, ECOWAS supports the capacity building of CSOs to enhance their advocacy efforts and resource mobilization capabilities. ECOWAS promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women as components of its development agenda. The gender development program focuses on addressing gender imbalances by supporting affirmative actions and promoting the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in ECOWAS policies and initiatives. ECOWAS works to advance women's rights, improve their quality of life, and foster constructive dialogue between men and women. The program also supports technical and social innovations that contribute to women’s empowerment across the region.
The employment program aims to address the challenges of job creation and decent work, particularly for youth in the region. It seeks to provide a conducive environment for job creation, improve access to employment opportunities, and develop the skills necessary for youth to be self-sufficient. By promoting skills development and creating employment opportunities, the program strives to improve the livelihoods of young people and enhance their participation in the regional economy. The BIAWE program focuses on empowering rural women entrepreneurs in West Africa. By providing capacity building, technical assistance, and financial support, the program helps women overcome constraints that hinder their business sustainability. It aims to strengthen the capacity of rural women to engage in livelihood strategies, increase value-added processing of traditional products, and enhance business management skills. The program also supports the creation of employment opportunities via small business development and the acceleration of growth for women entrepreneurs in rural communities. Through these diverse programs, ECOWAS is working to enhance the socio-economic fabric of West Africa by addressing critical issues such as youth unemployment, gender inequality, drug-related crimes, and regional integration. By empowering individuals and communities, ECOWAS is building a more cohesive, prosperous, and peaceful region for future generations.
ECOWAS and Free Movement of People
In 1979, the ECOWAS Member States adopted the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and the Right of Residence and Establishment. This protocol, along with later supplementary texts, reflects the commitment of the countries to prioritize the free movement of people within the region as a central aspect of their integration agenda. West Africa is home to some of the most mobile populations in the world. According to census data, around 7.5 million migrants from other West African nations currently reside within the region, representing nearly 3% of the total population. This mobility underscores the need for a holistic approach to migration and development, with a focus on mitigating negative impacts and addressing key challenges. These challenges include promoting the benefits of intra-regional mobility, supporting local development in both departure zones and potential host areas, optimizing regular migration to regions such as Africa, Europe, and North America, controlling irregular migration, and ensuring the protection of migrant and asylum seeker rights. Furthermore, the increasing role of women in migration highlights the necessity of incorporating gender perspectives into migration policies. Recognizing the critical importance of migration, the 30th Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja in June 2006, tasked the ECOWAS Commission with developing a common regional approach to migration. This mandate was reaffirmed at a meeting in Ouagadougou in December 2006, where the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to both intra-regional migration and migration to Europe. The ECOWAS Commission responded by initiating a strategic process to define a unified migration framework for the region, which has not yet been brought to full implementation by all ECOWAS member states [Source: UNHCR, 2020].
ECOWAS Member States operate within the framework of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, particularly Article 59, which guarantees citizens the right to enter, reside, and establish themselves in any ECOWAS country. This right is further supported by several international agreements, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/277 on International Migration and Development, the International Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers’ Rights, and various agreements related to refugees and asylum seekers. As a matter of principle, ECOWAS Member States prioritize free movement within the region as a key component of their integration policy. They believe that greater mobility within the ECOWAS zone is essential for both regional development and successful integration into the global economy. Free movement has proven to reduce migratory pressures beyond the region’s borders. Additionally, for ECOWAS legal migration to other parts of the world can benefit both the home and host countries when managed well, contributing to the development of both. The high proportion of young people in West Africa underscores the importance of managing migration flows effectively to create labor market opportunities abroad. Fighting human trafficking is also a moral and humanitarian priority for ECOWAS, and Member States are committed to protecting migrants from exploitation. ECOWAS emphasizes policy coherence at multiple levels, including harmonizing bilateral agreements with community protocols, aligning North-South migration policies with development goals, and integrating migration management with sectoral policies. The protection of migrant rights is central to these efforts, and ECOWAS Member States are dedicated to implementing the Protocol on Free Movement and related international conventions [Source: UNHCR, 2020].
ECOWAS Member States are working to eliminate barriers to the free movement of people, including securing travel documents, providing training for officials, and harmonizing labor laws to facilitate professional mobility. They also aim to address harassment along borders and ensure the safety of migrants. To support mobility, ECOWAS is working to operationalize a regional fund for cross-border cooperation. This fund will support joint infrastructure projects such as border posts, health centers, and schools, while promoting better relations between neighboring countries. To make the most of the region's vast potential, ECOWAS Member States are developing a regional strategy for both rural and urban territorial planning. This will involve creating new growth areas and improving conditions in less developed regions, fostering economic opportunities and reducing migration pressures in disadvantaged zones. Through these efforts, ECOWAS seeks to create a framework where migration is not only a means of improving livelihoods but also a catalyst for regional development, enhancing both the economies and the quality of life in West Africa [Source: UNHCR, 2020].