Profile of ECOWAS
Inspired to some degree by the European Union’s initiative of bringing its nations together under a common institutional structure, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set for itself similar goals of creating a large trading block to enhance free trade within the region. ECOWAS is a regional body of fifteen countries –Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo –that came into being following the signing of the ECOWAS Treaty on May 28th,1975 in Lagos, Nigeria.
One of ECOWAS’ main tasks was, and still is, to create a favorable business environment for development within the region and to ensure that private enterprise is effectively supported and sustained. The objective is therefore clear: ECOWAS must champion regional integration, with a view to attracting more investments and projects to the region. The private sector therefore has a key role to play in efforts towards the attainment of sustainable development.
Consequently, ECOWAS has since been improving its investment climate. The aim of on-going structural reforms and liberalization of national economies in the Member States is to create a conducive business environment to enable the private sector in West Africa to grow and become the engine of the regional economy.
ECOWAS therefore invites YOU to be part of this emerging market.
