West Africa Trade to Suffer as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso Exit ECOWAS
By Olivier Walther, University of Florida
ECOWAS Loses Three Key Members
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has seen its membership shrink from 15 to 12 nations following the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in February 2024. This move threatens regional trade integration and economic stability across West Africa.
Historical Context of ECOWAS
Founded in 1975, ECOWAS was established to create a unified trading bloc through economic cooperation among West African nations. Alongside its sister organization, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), ECOWAS has implemented policies to enhance intra-regional trade and global connectivity.
Despite these efforts, progress has been slow. West Africa remains one of the world’s most expensive regions for business, with intra-regional trade lagging behind other economic blocs. Political elites and informal trade networks have often hindered the implementation of trade facilitation initiatives.
Why the Sahelian Exit Matters
The Sahel region – comprising some of the world’s poorest nations – depends heavily on trade with coastal countries. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger primarily export agricultural goods and livestock to markets in the Gulf of Guinea while relying on these coastal nations for industrial imports.
With their exit from ECOWAS, these landlocked countries face:
- Higher import costs due to tariff barriers
- Reduced access to vital Gulf of Guinea ports
- Potential collapse of formal trade networks
Economic Consequences for the Region
The withdrawal will likely:
- Boost informal cross-border trade, particularly between Niger and Nigeria
- Disrupt supply chains for essential goods in Sahelian countries
- Affect millions who depend on regional trade for livelihoods
- Impact coastal nations that rely on Sahelian agricultural products
Political Motivations Behind the Exit
The decision appears driven more by political than economic factors. ECOWAS has strict protocols against unconstitutional changes of government, having imposed sanctions on the military juntas now ruling these three nations. Their new Alliance of Sahel States (AES) represents a rejection of ECOWAS’ democratic governance standards.
Looking Ahead
While the AES may provide political alignment for the three nations, it cannot replace the economic benefits of ECOWAS membership. The coming months will reveal the full impact of this decision on regional trade patterns and economic stability in West Africa.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.