Theory question 112
ECOWASIdentify any six problems facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
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Any six:
1. Language and colonial differences (Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone).
2. Members' loyalty to other bodies (e.g. francophone ties to France, UEMOA).
3. Political instability and military coups.
4. Different currencies and currency convertibility problems.
5. Poor transport and communication links.
6. Failure of members to pay dues; poor funding.
7. Similar products (primary goods), so little trade among members.
8. Border closures, smuggling and limits on free movement.
9. Dominance and suspicion of Nigeria.
10. Conflicts, insurgency and civil wars in member states.
Note: since this paper, Mauritania left in 2000 and Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left in January 2025 to form the Alliance of Sahel States, so ECOWAS now has 12 members.
At the time of this paper ECOWAS had 15 members; it now has 12 after the 2025 withdrawals of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.