New alliance disrupts long-standing free trade in West African region

Commonly known by its French acronym AES, the alliance formally withdrew from the well-established Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in January 2025. Ecowas has been in existence since 1975 and free trade across West Africa has been a key principle since its founding. 

The decision by AES puts an end to free trade across the region and has resulted in Ecowas calling a meeting of its Extraordinary Council on 22 April to discuss the import duty issue, along with other related matters. 

According to media reports emanating from the region, the AES member states see the import duty as a way to finance their trade initiatives. However, it is a risky strategy as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are all heavily dependant on imports and have little manufacturing capacity of their own.   

In addition, all three countries are landlocked and must therefore rely on non-Alliance members for access to ports. 

Tax is known as the ‘AES Confederal Levy’ 

“This new tax, named the ‘AES Confederal Levy’, will apply to products entering the three countries but will exclude goods from other AES members, as well as those from the West African Economic and Monetary Union (known by the French acronym Uemoa),” reports the North Africa Post. 

“Despite their exit from Ecowas in January 2025, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso remain part of Uemoa, and their products will not be affected by this levy.” 

The members of Uemoa are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. 

The report by the North Africa Post continues: “This move [to impose an import levy] follows a growing sentiment within the AES countries, with protests in support of their departure from Ecowas, as they seek to assert greater control over their economic and political decisions.” 

According to Business Insider Africa, developments like this were anticipated following the AES’s decision to introduce a new passport, change their flags, and sever all ties with their former regional organisation.