THE CHALLENGES OF ECOWAS AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN WEST AFRICA (2000–2023)
Abstract
This paper examines the evolution and impact of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from its inception in 1975 to 2024, with a focus on its role in promoting regional economic integration in West Africa. The study explores the historical context that necessitated the formation of ECOWAS, the frameworks and mechanisms it adopted to advance trade liberalization, infrastructure development, and monetary cooperation, and its expanding role in regional peacekeeping and political stability. It further analyzes the major challenges facing ECOWAS’s integration agenda, including political instability, inadequate infrastructure, economic disparities, and the persistent barriers to intra-regional trade. The research draws on a combination of qualitative methods and empirical evidence from scholarly literature and official reports to assess the successes and limitations of ECOWAS’s strategies. By evaluating the community’s achievements and setbacks, this study offers insights into the prospects for deeper economic cooperation within West Africa and the lessons it provides for broader continental integration efforts.
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