The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged its member nations to prioritise the payment of their community levies. The regional bloc is grappling with significant financial difficulties due to several countries’ failure to meet their obligations.
The community levy—a 0.5% tax on goods imported from non-ECOWAS nations—provides between 70% and 90% of ECOWAS’s annual budget, making it a vital source of funding for the organisation’s operations.
Speaking at the opening of the 37th Meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) in Abuja, Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, stressed the urgent need for member states to honour their financial responsibilities to ensure the bloc’s ongoing stability and progress.
“Our organisation stands at a critical juncture, requiring the resilience to overcome the challenges impeding integration and to move forward confidently into the future. But above all, we must recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity, and fraternity. Advancing together in development, peace, and stability is invaluable,” she said.
Tchintchibidja expressed her gratitude to Nigeria’s President and current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for his continued leadership and support. She also acknowledged the contributions of other regional leaders in guiding ECOWAS institutions toward integration and development objectives.
Highlighting the shared responsibility of all citizens, she noted: “ECOWAS belongs to all of us—you, me, and every citizen in our community.” She added that its existence depends on members’ collective commitment, solidarity, fraternity, and shared ambition to build a more prosperous, forward-looking region, which is why it forms the theme of the organisation’s Golden Jubilee.
Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Commissioner for Internal Services, underlined the need for strategic thinking and cooperation among AFC members. He called on participants to ensure the effective use of resources to achieve tangible benefits for citizens across the ECOWAS region.
Opening the meeting, Ambassador Olawale Awe, Chair of the 37th AFC, praised the strong participation of member states, calling it a clear sign of their continued dedication to ECOWAS’s integration agenda.
The conclusions from this mid-year evaluation are expected to influence future policies and reinforce the Commission’s commitment to efficiency, unity, and meaningful service delivery throughout West Africa.
