The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will today, April 22, 2025, officially launch its 50th anniversary in Accra, Ghana.
The event marks the start of year-long celebrations to commemorate the West African economic bloc, founded 50 years ago, on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Heads of state from member countries are expected to attend the launch.
Among the early arrivals for the Summit is Mr. Muhammed B. S. Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia.
Celebrations across Member States will follow throughout the year, as recommended by the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government.
The programme of activities was validated by the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee during a virtual meeting in February 2025.
Originally comprised of 15 nations, ECOWAS welcomed Cabo Verde in 1977, while Mauritania withdrew in 2000, signing an association agreement in 2017.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exited in January 2025 due to disagreements.
Current members include Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
As a key pillar of the African Economic Community, ECOWAS works to foster unified economic cooperation in transport, energy, agriculture, and trade, boasting a regional Gross Domestic Product of $734.8 billion.
In 2007, the Secretariat transitioned into a Commission to strengthen leadership and strategic direction.
The Commission is led by a President, Vice-President, five Commissioners, and an Auditor General.
Primarily funded by a 0.5 per cent Community tax on imports from non-member states, ECOWAS drives integration through strategic programmes.
It envisions a 2050 transition from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples,” aiming for lasting peace and prosperity.
