The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled a proposed six-pillar reform framework tagged the “Compact of the Future of Regional Integration”, designed to redefine the bloc’s political and economic direction.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, presented the initiative on Thursday during the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
He said the plan would serve as a survival strategy for the regional body amid growing political, economic, and security pressures.
According to Musah, the proposal is intended to shift ECOWAS away from a system largely driven by declarations to one that delivers tangible benefits such as improved security, stronger economic ties, and enhanced digital connectivity for citizens.
“The Compact is designed to operationalise the ECOWAS Vision 2050, and represents a fundamental reset of the regional integration agenda, shifting the bloc from an elite-driven ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of the Peoples.
He added that the region is currently facing its most fragile period since the organisation was created in 1975, citing governance challenges, democratic setbacks, and the rise of alternative alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), made up of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
“This is due largely to governance failures, democratic setbacks, and the emergence of alternative alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger,” Musah said.
Musah noted that the framework was adopted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during a recent summit in Abuja, where leaders also backed plans for a special summit on the future of regional integration.
He explained that the draft compact was developed through wide-ranging consultations involving citizens across West Africa, civil society organisations, members of the diaspora, ECOWAS institutions, and regional leaders.
“The Compact for the Future of Regional Integration seeks to rebuild trust between states and their peoples, ensuring that regional integration remains relevant, citizen-centred and capable of responding to 21st-century challenges,” he said.
The commissioner outlined six key pillars driving the initiative, including economic transformation, peace and democratic governance, science and technology, social inclusion, institutional reform, and geopolitical repositioning of ECOWAS.
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Under the economic agenda, the bloc aims to raise intra-regional trade to 30 per cent by 2035, advance industrial growth and food sovereignty, and fully implement the ECO single currency by 2040.
On security and governance, the proposal reinforces zero tolerance for military coups and unconstitutional constitutional changes, while also calling for a strengthened ECOWAS Standby Force to address emerging threats.
The science and technology pillar includes plans for a Digital Single Market by 2030, while the social inclusion component targets 40 per cent female representation in leadership and greater youth participation in governance structures.
Musah further disclosed that the reform package also proposes institutional changes aimed at improving accountability, merit-based systems, and financial independence through full funding of the Community Levy by 2030.
He also highlighted a strong emphasis on “strategic autonomy”, positioning ECOWAS as a more unified geopolitical force capable of protecting West Africa’s interests in a shifting global order.
The document also proposes structured dialogue and confidence-building measures with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to discourage their permanent withdrawal from the regional bloc.
“To address ECOWAS’ longstanding implementation deficit, the Compact introduces a robust monitoring and evaluation system, including compliance scorecards for member states and an evidence-based approach to policy implementation,” Musah added.
Lawmakers at the session subsequently deliberated on the wide-ranging implications of the proposed framework.