ECOWAS Unveils 6-Pillar ‘Compact’ to Revive Regional Integration Amid Crises

By Ifeyinwa Ike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a bold six-pillar strategy called the Compact of the Future of Regional Integration” to combat its deepest crisis since 1975.

This was driven by governance failures, democratic backsliding, and the rise of rival alliances like the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) involving Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, presented the initiative at the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

He described it as a survival strategy adopted by the Authority of Heads of State and Government during a recent Abuja summit, ahead of a special summit on regional integration.

The Compact operationalises ECOWAS Vision 2050, shifting from an elite-driven bloc of states to a citizen-centered “ECOWAS of the Peoples.” Developed through consultations with citizens, civil society, the African diaspora, and ECOWAS institutions, it aims to deliver tangible benefits like security, economic mobility, and digital connectivity while rebuilding trust.

He highlighted the key pillars and targets to include: sustainable Economic Transformation on Double intra-regional trade to 30% by 2035, boost industrialization, ensure food sovereignty, and launch the ECO single currency by 2040.

Peace and Democratic Governance: Zero tolerance for coups and constitutional manipulations; strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force against threats.

Science and Technology: Create a Digital Single Market by 2030.

Social Inclusion: Increase women’s leadership representation to 40% and institutionalize youth governance participation.

Institutional Reform: Make ECOWAS bodies merit-based, accountable, and self-financed via Community Levy by 2030.

Geopolitical Positioning: Promote “strategic autonomy” to defend West Africa’s sovereignty; foster dialogue with AES states to prevent their exit.

Musah highlighted a new monitoring system with compliance scorecards for member states to tackle implementation gaps. Parliamentarians actively debated the Compact’s wide-ranging impacts during the session.