Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established by the ECOWAS Treaty in May 1975 with the primary objective of promoting economic integration in “all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters”.
Article 3(1) of the ECOWAS Treaty provides that the aims of the Community are to:
• Promote cooperation and integration in the region, leading to the establishment of an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living standards of its peoples
• Maintain and enhance economic stability, foster relations among Member States and contribute to the progress and development of the African continent.