ECOWAS Records 4.6% Economic Growth in 2025 Despite Global Headwinds — Touray

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recorded 4.6 per cent economic growth in 2025, outperforming the continental average despite global economic pressures, according to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray.

Dr Touray said the bloc is projecting 5 per cent growth in 2026, citing improving macroeconomic fundamentals across the sub-region.

He disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with development partners, where he presented highlights from the ECOWAS Commission’s 2025 Annual Report.

Drivers of Growth

According to Dr Touray, ECOWAS’ economic performance in 2025 was driven by structural reforms, increased investment in mining and energy, improved regional trade facilitation, and a strong rebound in services, transport and tourism.

“This robust performance is driven by structural reforms, rising investment in mining and energy, improvement in regional trade facilitation, and a strong rebound in services, transport and tourism,” he said.

He noted that inflation, while still elevated in some member states, declined in others due to coordinated monetary policies and improved food supply conditions.

Improving Fiscal and External Positions

Dr Touray said fiscal deficits across the bloc have narrowed significantly, as governments strengthened revenue mobilisation and rationalised public spending.

“Our debt-to-GDP ratio has also declined modestly, reflecting strong nominal growth and improved macroeconomic management,” he said.

He added that the region’s external position remained stable, supported by a strengthened current account surplus driven by high export earnings from oil, gold and bauxite.

Global Context and Regional Resilience

The ECOWAS Commission President acknowledged that the global economy faced significant challenges in 2025, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain restructuring, and the accelerating digital and green transitions.

While global growth slowed and uncertainty remained high, Dr Touray said Africa, and West Africa in particular, continued to demonstrate economic resilience.

Security and Counterterrorism

On security, Dr Touray said ECOWAS continued to manage the implications of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, while keeping channels open for constructive engagement.

He disclosed that the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff completed the rotation of the ECOWAS Standby Force and strengthened preparations for both the Standby Force and the 1,650-strong Counterterrorism Brigade.

He also said progress was made in combating organised crime, with ECOWAS formally taking over the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS) after 12 years under Interpol.

However, he noted that reduced cooperation with the Alliance of Sahel States had complicated counterterrorism efforts.

“While attacks declined slightly, fatalities increased due to the rising use of improvised explosive devices,” he said.

Governance, Elections and Integration

On governance, Dr Touray said ECOWAS supported several member states, including Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, in electoral preparations, political transitions and institutional reforms.

He said the bloc made steady progress in regional integration, including the launch of the second phase of the pre-movement and migration project and the validation of the ECOWAS Visa Online initiative.

“Seven member states are now implementing the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card, with Nigeria being the most recent,” he said.

Women, Youth and Humanitarian Support

Dr Touray said ECOWAS’ programmes targeting women and youth yielded measurable results, with over 1,300 small-scale cross-border traders and 50 women-led SMEs benefiting from capacity-building initiatives.

He added that digital skills training programmes expanded economic opportunities for rural women across the region.

According to him, the Commission committed approximately $8 million to humanitarian emergencies and disaster risk reduction, while drug rehabilitation services expanded to 10 centres across West Africa.

Infrastructure and Energy

Considering regional infrastructure, Dr Touray said ECOWAS mobilised more than $42 million for preparatory studies on regional road networks and advanced plans for the Praia–Dakar–Abidjan Corridor, with support from the African Development Bank.

Political Stability and Democratic Norms

Dr Touray reaffirmed ECOWAS’ zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government.

“There is zero tolerance for anti-constitutional behaviour in the region. ECOWAS stands for no coups,” he said.

Regarding Guinea-Bissau, he called for a short, inclusive transition with a limited mandate to undertake constitutional and electoral reforms.

He also confirmed that sanctions against the Republic of Guinea had been lifted following satisfactory elections, marking the country’s full reintegration into ECOWAS decision-making bodies.

“This is the first time since my arrival at ECOWAS that I am sitting with the Ambassador of Guinea at an ECOWAS meeting,” he said.

Outlook

Despite the challenges faced in 2025, Dr Touray said the bloc remains firmly on course.

“The progress outlined reflects the resilience, determination and unity of our community,” he said.

“The vision of a peaceful, prosperous and fully integrated West Africa remains within reach.”