“ECOWAS has achieved so much in terms of standardizing, regulation of activities in different sectors”- Tuggar

Oru Leonard

As the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), marks its 50th anniversary, showcasing remarkable achievements in regional integration and economic development, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has said ECOWAS has achieved so much in terms of standardizing the regulation of the activities of governments and people in different sectors… “This is what the entire planet is aspiring towards, that convergence, if you will, so that countries can benefit and can develop”, he added.

Despite recent challenges, ECOWAS has made significant progress in:

• Trade Liberalization: The ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme has increased intra-regional trade, fostering economic growth and cooperation among member states.
• Infrastructure Development: The Abidjan-Lagos corridor and other trade and transport corridors have improved regional connectivity and facilitated trade.
• Digitalization: The SIGMAT system has digitized the tracking of goods and containers, enhancing trade efficiency and transparency.
• Common External Tariff: ECOWAS has implemented a common external tariff, promoting a unified trade policy among member states.
• Funding Mechanism: The ECOWAS community levy has provided a sustainable funding mechanism, making it a model for other regional economic communities.

On future plans, the Minister listed the following:

• African Continental Free Trade Area: ECOWAS is working towards establishing a single market for West Africa, paving the way for the African Continental Free Trade Area.
• Youth Empowerment: The region is focusing on youth development, recognizing the demographic dividend and potential of young people.
• Major Projects: The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a major infrastructure project, will deliver Nigerian gas to 15 countries, including Morocco, and potentially to Europe.

As the organization looks ahead, the ECOWAS golden jubilee which will hold on May 28, 2025 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, will not only celebrate past achievements but also chart a renewed vision for the next 50 years of West African solidarity and development.

With General Yakubu Gowon, the only surviving founding father, in attendance. President Bola Tinubu will host fellow leaders, highlighting ECOWAS’ achievements, including free movement protocols and regional security architecture, while charting a renewed vision for West African solidarity. The event also features panel discussions and a youth forum.

Lagos has announced traffic diversions to accommodate the event. Tinubu will also commission key infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road.

About ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) was founded in 1975 under the leadership of Nigeria’s then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), who is expected to be honored at the event. Half a century later, the regional body returns to Nigeria with its legacy of impactful reforms and resilience.

Headquartered in Abuja, ECOWAS boasts a robust institutional secretariat, a thriving 25-year-old parliament, and a growing influence across member states. Its protocols on free movement of goods and people (ETLS), improved regional security architecture, governance frameworks, and early warning response mechanisms have deepened integration and stability in West Africa.

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