West African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to launching the long-awaited ECO single currency in 2027, intensified regional efforts against terrorism and condemned the recent xenophobic attacks against West Africans in South Africa….
West African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to launching the long-awaited ECO single currency in 2027, intensified regional efforts against terrorism and condemned the recent xenophobic attacks against West Africans in South Africa.
The decisions were contained in the final communiqué issued at the end of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Lungi, Sierra Leone, on July 19.
The summit, chaired by Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, brought together Heads of State and senior officials from ECOWAS member countries, alongside representatives of the United Nations, African Development Bank, Mauritania and the ECOWAS Business Council.
On regional economic integration, the Authority reiterated its commitment to introducing the ECO in 2027, saying the common currency would begin with member states that meet the convergence criteria, while countries not yet ready would receive support to join later.
The leaders also welcomed the registration of the name “ECO” with the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) and directed the ECOWAS Commission to secure trademark registration with other regional and international intellectual property bodies.
“The launch of the ECO shall commence with those countries that meet the established convergence criteria and are ready to participate,” the communiqué stated.
The Authority approved Guinea’s request to join the Presidential Task Force on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and directed the Commission to convene a meeting of the task force before the December 2026 summit.
Concerned about outstanding Community Levy arrears, the leaders urged member states to fulfil their financial obligations and directed the Commission to strengthen engagement with countries to ensure sustainable financing for ECOWAS programmes.
On food security, the Authority expressed concern over worsening food and nutrition conditions in parts of the region and the impact of rising fertiliser prices on agriculture. It welcomed progress on the ECOWAS Rice Agenda and urged faster implementation of the Regional Rice Roadmap to reduce dependence on food imports.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, describing it as one of the bloc’s greatest achievements, while stressing the need to preserve regional mobility and cross-border trade, including ongoing engagements with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The Authority also warned that bilateral trade agreements entered into by individual member states could undermine the ECOWAS Customs Union and called on governments to avoid deals inconsistent with the revised ECOWAS Treaty.
On infrastructure, the Commission was directed to develop a portfolio of investment-ready regional projects covering transport, energy, digital connectivity and water infrastructure.
The summit welcomed the signing of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, describing it as a strategic initiative capable of strengthening regional energy security, industrialisation and economic integration.
In aviation, the leaders reiterated their determination to reduce the cost of air travel across West Africa, commending Côte d’Ivoire as the only member state to have removed applicable taxes in line with previous ECOWAS decisions and urging other countries to follow suit.
On digital transformation, ECOWAS adopted a revised Supplementary Act on the Protection of Personal Data and approved the establishment of a Regional Cybersecurity Coordination Mechanism.
The Authority also adopted a Presidential Declaration on Advancing Gender Parity in Political Representation and encouraged member states to strengthen measures promoting women’s participation in governance.
On security, the leaders expressed deep concern over worsening insecurity across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, marked by terrorist attacks, kidnappings and banditry.
They welcomed progress in activating the ECOWAS regional Counterterrorism Force and endorsed a revised roadmap aimed at achieving full operational capability by July 2027.
The communiqué directed the Commission to deepen engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on pragmatic security cooperation and urged member states to clear Community Levy arrears earmarked for activating the regional force.
The Authority also renewed the mandate of ECOWAS Special Envoy on Counterterrorism, Ambassador Baba Kamara, for another three years.
Strongly condemning the increasing wave of kidnappings and abductions of schoolchildren, particularly in northern Nigeria, the Authority expressed solidarity with Nigeria and commended President Bola Tinubu.
“The Authority strongly condemns the increasing spate of banditry, kidnappings and abductions of school children, particularly in Northern Nigeria. The Authority expresses its solidarity with the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the swift actions taken to secure the release of victims and the measures put in place to combat the menace,” the communiqué said.
The leaders also condemned ongoing xenophobic attacks targeting Africans in South Africa, particularly West Africans, describing the incidents as unacceptable.
“The Authority notes with deep concern the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa targeting people of African descent, particularly the despicable treatment of West African citizens, and expresses its strong condemnation of this recurrent phenomenon.”
ECOWAS urged South African authorities to ensure the safety of African nationals and supported Ghana’s decision to place the matter before the African Union Assembly for a permanent solution.
On humanitarian issues, the Authority expressed concern over worsening humanitarian conditions caused by conflict, terrorism, food insecurity and climate change, directing the Commission to mobilise additional resources and strengthen coordination on emergency education and humanitarian assistance.
Regarding relations with the Alliance of Sahel States, the leaders extended the mandate of Chief Negotiator Dr. Lansana Kouyaté until December 2026 and reaffirmed that negotiations with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger would continue only as a bloc, warning member states against separate bilateral arrangements that could undermine ECOWAS unity.
The Authority also welcomed China’s donation of the new ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, describing it as “a landmark contribution” that symbolises the strategic partnership between ECOWAS and China.
On institutional matters, the summit approved appointments to key ECOWAS institutions, including judges of the Community Court of Justice, commissioners, and heads of specialised agencies.
Nigeria’s request for an additional two weeks to resolve issues concerning the Vice-President position allocated to the country at the ECOWAS Commission was also granted.
The leaders appointed Senegal’s General Birame Diop as President of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen regional integration and address emerging challenges.
They also elected Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the new Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for a one-year term, succeeding Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
The Authority commended Bio for his leadership over the past year and thanked the Government and people of Sierra Leone for hosting the summit.
