The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will launch its 50th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Accra, Ghana.
Heads of State and Government are expected to lead the event.
A statement from the Commission confirmed that the launch would feature Ministers and dignitaries.
Activities include the unveiling of the ECOWAS Golden Jubilee logo and theme, as well as artistic performances highlighting its history and accomplishments.
Year-long celebrations across Member States will follow, as recommended by the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government.
The activities programme was validated by the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee during a virtual meeting in February 2025.
ECOWAS, founded on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria, was created to foster economic integration and collective self-sufficiency among Member States.
Initially comprised of 15 West African nations, Cabo Verde joined in 1977, while Mauritania withdrew in 2000, signing an association agreement in 2017.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exited in January 2025.
Current members include Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
The bloc, regarded as a key pillar of the African Economic Community, promotes unified economic cooperation across sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, and trade.
Its combined regional Gross Domestic Product stands at $734.8 billion.
In 2007, the Secretariat transitioned into a Commission to enhance leadership and strategic direction, guided by a President, Vice-President, five Commissioners, and an Auditor General.
ECOWAS is primarily funded by a 0.5% Community tax on imports from non-Member States.
It implements strategic programmes to deepen integration and eliminate barriers, working toward its 2050 vision of transitioning from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples,” aiming for peace and prosperity for all.
Source: GNA
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