The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to officially commence its 50th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Accra, Ghana.
The event will be attended by Heads of State and Government, along with various Ministers and dignitaries, as stated by the ECOWAS Commission.
Key features of the launch will include the introduction of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee logo and theme, as well as artistic performances that honor the organization’s history and accomplishments.
This launch signifies the start of a year-long series of commemorative events across Member States, as approved by the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government. The activities were sanctioned by the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee during a virtual meeting in February 2025.
Founded on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria, ECOWAS was established to enhance economic integration and promote collective self-reliance among West African countries. Initially, it included 15 nations, with Cabo Verde joining in 1977. Mauritania withdrew in 2000 but later signed an association agreement in 2017. In January 2025, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger also exited the organization.
The current Member States are Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
As a fundamental component of the African Economic Community, ECOWAS encourages regional collaboration in vital sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, and trade. The total GDP of the region is approximately $734.8 billion.
In 2007, the ECOWAS Secretariat underwent restructuring to become a Commission, aimed at enhancing leadership and strategic oversight. The organization is led by a President, a Vice-President, five Commissioners, and an Auditor General.
ECOWAS primarily receives funding from a 0.5% community levy imposed on imports originating from non-Member States. The organization’s initiatives are designed to enhance integration, remove obstacles, and promote its 2050 vision of evolving from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples,” dedicated to fostering peace and collective prosperity.
