The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked its 50th anniversary in May 2025, a milestone reflecting both remarkable achievements and unprecedented challenges.
Founded on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS has long been seen as a model of regional integration and a catalyst for cooperation among West African states. However, its golden jubilee coincided with one of the bloc’s most testing periods.
Membership had dropped from the original 16 states under the Lagos Treaty to just 12, following the withdrawal of Mauritania in 2000 and, more recently, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in January 2025. These departures, partly linked to disputes over sanctions and security issues, prompted concerns about further fragmentation and regional instability.
Despite diplomatic efforts, including shuttle diplomacy by ECOWAS leaders and appeals from former founding heads of state, the three Sahel states formalised their exit and later established a parallel entity, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This development exacerbated security risks, providing space for terrorist activity and contributing to a slight decline in the region’s economic growth forecast for 2025.
Amid these setbacks, ECOWAS maintained an open channel for dialogue with the Sahel states, particularly on shared security challenges. Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, emphasised that engagement aims to mitigate the negative effects of the split while preserving regional cohesion.
The bloc also faced democratic challenges, with political unrest and military takeovers reported in member states such as Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. These incidents underscored the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic governance in West Africa.
In his Golden Jubilee speech, Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the need for reflection, resilience, and recommitment to the founding vision of integration and stability. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, then ECOWAS Chairman, called on member states to remain united, warning against divisions that could undermine five decades of progress.
Despite turbulence, ECOWAS celebrated significant achievements, including the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, the Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional peacekeeping operations, and healthcare initiatives. Infrastructure development also marked a milestone, particularly with the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP) and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP), both designed to enhance regional energy access and drive economic growth.
The bloc made notable efforts to promote economic integration, advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), pursuing a single currency (the Eco), and reforming regional air transport policies to reduce fares and encourage mobility.
In December 2025, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government reaffirmed their commitment to democracy and collective security, pledging integrated counter-terrorism efforts, coordinated border management, and operational readiness to confront regional threats.
Analysts observing the 50-year milestone note that while 2025 exposed ECOWAS to existential threats—from violent extremism to member state withdrawals—it also highlighted the bloc’s resilience, adaptability, and capacity for reform.
Looking ahead, ECOWAS must intensify its fight against insecurity, strengthen institutional integrity, and rebuild citizen trust to remain a viable force for regional unity and development. Only by confronting its current challenges directly can the bloc safeguard its legacy and secure a stable future for West Africa.