West African trading bloc facing headwinds as three members resign

“Ecowas is primarily an economic community and the loss of any member will affect trade and economic development,” says Olayinka Ajala Senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom.  

Writing in The Conversation, he notes that the main impact on the countries will be on the movement of people, goods and services. 

“These countries have strategic importance, especially in food security. Niger is a key source of onions while Burkina Faso exports tomatoes to the sub-region,” Ajala states. He adds that 80% of Niger’s trade is done with Nigeria. 

Tielman Nieuwoudt, an emerging market supply chain and logistics expert, as well as a contributor to Strategic Marketing for Africa magazine, believes the planned exit of the three countries could influence the political and economic landscape of the region. 

“While intra-regional trade within Africa, particularly in West Africa, remains modest, accounting for about 8 to 13%, official figures don’t tell the full story. It is estimated that approximately 75% of intra-regional trade is informal,” he explains. 

Large Nigerian markets serve as hubs for traders 

“Nigériens” (from Niger) are regular shoppers at Nigeria’s Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State and the Alaba International Market in Lagos, where large Nigerian markets serve as hubs for traders offering a range of goods, including high-demand electronics. 

“Similarly, Mali and Burkina Faso rely heavily on the Port of Abidjan and the Port of Dakar. An average of 700 trucks per day travel between Mali and the Port of Dakar. Despite its challenging road conditions, this corridor is a vital trade route for Mali, especially for transporting commodities like cotton.” 

According to Nieuwoudt, Speculation is rife that the three countries could potentially launch their own currency and form new logistical alliances, such as partnering with Morocco for port facilities. 

“The departure of these nations from Ecowas could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the countries involved, but also for the entire West African region,” he states. 

Despite their distinct national identities, Ecowas countries share several cultural, linguistic, and tribal connections that highlight the intertwined nature of the West African region. For example, the Fulani (Peul) ethnic group resides in Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger. 

According to a report by the Associated Press news agency, Ecowas does not enjoy the support of all West Africans. 

“Some believe Ecowas is fast losing goodwill and support from many West Africans who see it as failing to represent their interests in a region where citizens have complained of not benefitting from rich natural resources in their countries,” AP says in a January 2024 report.