The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has marked its 51st anniversary with a call for collective action to confront insecurity, unconstitutional government changes, climate change, and economic challenges across West Africa.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, says the regional bloc must face emerging realities with “clarity and courage” as it begins a new phase in its development.

Insecurity, misinformation, economic vulnerability and climate change require “bold, coordinated and forward-looking responses", he says, while the region’s youthful population, natural resources, and expanding regional market present major opportunities for transformation.

Dr. Touray thus called for stronger trust between institutions and citizens to keep the regional body “relevant, responsive and resilient".

Reflecting on the bloc’s achievements over the past 51 years, Touray said ECOWAS facilitated free movement across borders, enabling citizens to travel, trade and connect more easily across member states.

"We have advanced intra-regional trade, implemented a Common External Tariff, and developed critical regional infrastructure, linking our capitals and markets. We have laid the groundwork for a single currency, built a regional electricity market, and extended digital connectivity across borders. These achievements, while significant, are not conclusive chapters in our history," he said.

ECOWAS is a 15-member regional political and economic union established on 28 May 1975.