ECOWAS Urged to Become Financially Independent and Fight Corruption

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been advised to reduce its dependence on foreign aid and start working towards financial independence and internal reform.

This call was made on Sunday in Abuja during the opening of the 37th meeting of the ECOWAS Administrative and Finance Committee.

Prof. Nazifi Darma, ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, told member countries to make better use of their own resources and fight corruption more seriously.

“As you discuss financial and administrative matters, I urge you to think about the changing world. The United States, for example, is changing how it gives aid, and other donors may do the same soon,” he said.

He asked the committee to come up with long-term plans to reduce or completely stop relying on foreign donors for funding ECOWAS agencies.

Darma also mentioned that ECOWAS had recently upgraded its translation equipment, showing its commitment to improving how the organisation works.

Ambassador Olawale Awe, who chairs the committee, also spoke about some of the challenges ECOWAS is facing—especially since Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have left the regional body.

“The remaining member countries need to keep paying the ECOWAS community levy, especially now that those three countries have pulled out,” Awe said.

He stressed that the levy is important for ECOWAS to continue its regional projects and benefit the citizens of West Africa.

Awe also talked about the need to fill job vacancies within ECOWAS institutions. He said hiring should be fair, include all regions, and be based on merit.

“Now that three countries have left, it’s more important than ever to plan properly and fill available roles in ECOWAS,” he added.