Abuja, Nigeria
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has released the final communiqué of its 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja on 14 December.
The communiqué, read by ECOWAS Commission president, Omar Alieu Touray, outlines key decisions on economic integration, monetary union, trade, energy, democracy and security against the backdrop of ongoing challenges in the region.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deeper regional integration ahead of a special summit, highlighting progress over ECOWAS’s 50 years while addressing current dynamics. They focused on youth and women empowerment, digital transformation, connectivity, peace, security and accountable governance.
On the economy, the communiqué welcomed the resilience shown in 2025, with accelerating growth, falling inflation and fiscal consolidation. Member states were urged to continue reforms and improve public spending.
Concerns were expressed over delays in launching the single currency, the Eco, planned for 2027. The presidential task force on the programme was reactivated to build consensus, while a new public accounting framework must be adopted nationally by 2029.
Nigeria was commended for deploying the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, with others urged to follow suit to enhance free movement. Directives were issued to harmonise rules of origin under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and resolve levies affecting intra-regional trade.
The communiqué noted historic synchronisation of 15 countries’ power grids by the West African Power Pool on 8 November this year, but raised alarms over payment defaults threatening operations. Timely contributions were demanded. Air transport charges and taxes are to be reduced by 25% from 1 January 2026.
On democracy and security, leaders condemned a recent coup in Guinea-Bissau that disrupted elections, rejecting the military’s transition plan. They demanded immediate release of detainees, an inclusive short transition and credible elections, authorising the ECOWAS mission to protect institutions and threatening targeted sanctions on obstructors.
An attempted coup in Benin was also condemned, with praise for rapid intervention by the ECOWAS Standby Force, supported by Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Sierra Leone. Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh was warned over statements from exile seen as breaching asylum conditions and threatening stability.
The deteriorating security in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin was highlighted, with $2.85m allocated to each of five frontline states from a regional fund. Operationalisation of a counter-terrorism brigade was urged.
Institutionally, Senegal was allocated the ECOWAS Commission presidency for 2026-2030, Nigeria the vice-presidency. Ghana’s bid for African Union chairmanship in 2027 was endorsed. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger were admitted as non-regional members to an anti-money laundering body.
The communiqué underscores ECOWAS‘s resolve to foster unity and equitable partnerships in a challenging regional context.
