Origin of ECOWAS - SS3 Economics Lesson Note

ECOWAS, which stands for the Economic Community of West African States, was formed in 1975. It originated from the desire of West African countries to promote regional cooperation and integration in order to achieve economic development and prosperity.

The idea of creating a regional organization for West Africa was first proposed in the 1960s by a number of African leaders who believed that cooperation and integration could help address the economic and social challenges facing the region.

In May 1975, the Treaty of Lagos was signed, which established ECOWAS as a regional intergovernmental organization. The founding members of ECOWAS were Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Since its establishment, ECOWAS has grown in membership and expanded its mandate to include a wide range of economic, political, social, and cultural objectives aimed at promoting regional integration and cooperation in West Africa.