ECOWAS to launch 50th Anniversary celebrations in Accra on April 22

The Economic Community of West Africa States is set to officially launch its golden jubilee celebration in Accra on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

The government and all heads of state are required to lead the event, featured by ministers and dignitaries in accordance by a statement issued by the commission.

Activities for the launch of the anniversary includes the unveiling of the ECOWAS logo and theme for the 50^th anniversary celebration, as well as portraying artistic performances which will display its history and accomplishments over the years.

This year’s ECOWAS launch marks the commencement of a year-long series of memorial activities across Member States as certified by the ECOWAS conference Heads of Government. The plan of activities was approved by the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee during a virtual meeting held in February 2025.

Founded on 28 May 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria, by the 15 West African heads of state, ECOWAS was created to foster economic integration and collective self-sufficiency among Member States.

Initially consisting 15 countries, Cabo Verde joined in 1977, while Mauritania withdrew in 2000 but signed an association agreement in 2017. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger also pulled back from the bloc in January 2025.

Active and current Member State of the ECOWAS include, Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The Community which is regarded as the key-pillar of the African Economic bloc, ECOWAS promotes unified corporation across key sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture and trade. Meanwhile the Community’s combined Gross Domestic Product stands at $734.8 billion.

In 2007, the ECOWAS Secretariat was restructured into a Commission to strengthen leadership and strategic oversight.

 The institution is headed by a President, Vice-President, five Commissioners, and an Auditor General.

ECOWAS is primarily funded through a 0.5% community levy on imports from non-Member States. Its programmes aim to deepen integration, eliminate barriers, and advance its 2050 vision of transforming from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples,” committed to peace and shared prosperity for all.