The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS; also known as CEDEAO in French and Portuguese) is a regional political and economic union of twelve countries of West Africa. Collectively, the present and former members comprise an area of 5,114,162 km 2 (1,974,589 sq mi) and have an estimated population of over 424.34 million.

1 day ago · BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — West Africa’s regional bloc known as ECOWAS is facing significant challenges after three junta-led countries formally quit the group, forming their own alliance and weakening the bloc’s standing and political authority.. The withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the bloc — now left with 12 member countries — was the culmination of a yearlong period of ...

The ECOWAS promotes cooperation and integration among West African states in various sectors including peace, security, and economic development.

Jan 29, 2025 · Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS. The regional bloc announced the departure of the junta-led West African nations on Wednesday. The three junta-led West African nations withdrawal is the culmination of a yearlong process during which the grouping tried to avert its unprecedented ...

Jan 29, 2025 · Ecowas - which stands for the Economic Community of West African States - was founded in 1975 in a bid to improve economic and political integration in West Africa.

Jan 29, 2025 · ECOWAS president Omar Alieu Touray told reporters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja that despite the split, the bloc hopes to still collaborate with the countries in tackling some of the region’s ...

Jan 29, 2025 · The alliance, the Economic Community of West African States, offers its members visa-free travel, favorable trade tariffs and access to a $702 billion market for the region’s 400 million people.

Jan 22, 2025 · Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African organization established by the Treaty of Lagos in May 1975 to promote economic trade, cooperation, and self-reliance.

Jan 29, 2024 · Monthslong tension between three coup-hit countries in West Africa and the regional bloc known as ECOWAS boiled over when the nations announced their immediate withdrawal from the bloc, accusing it of a lack of support and “inhumane” coup-related sanctions.

The main goal of ECOWAS is to promote economic cooperation among member states in order to raise living standards and promote economic development. ECOWAS has also worked to address some security issues by developing a peacekeeping force for conflicts in the region.