By Gloria Ikibah
The Economic Community of West African States has introduced an extensive roadmap aimed at overhauling regional integration, as it seeks to rebuild confidence, restore cohesion and respond more effectively to growing political, economic and security pressures across West Africa.
The proposal, unveiled during a session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Tuesday, was presented by the organisation’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah. It outlines a broad reset of the bloc’s direction, with a renewed focus on making integration more inclusive and people-centred. 
At the core of the initiative is the implementation of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 framework, alongside efforts to reposition the organisation at a time when it faces one of its most challenging periods since its establishment in 1975. Ongoing governance concerns, democratic backsliding and the rise of alternative alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States, involving Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, have all contributed to the strain.
The reform plan stems from a directive issued by regional leaders during their 65th Ordinary Session in Abuja in July 2024, which called for a dedicated summit to reassess the future of integration in West Africa.
Structured around six key pillars, the framework sets out priorities including economic transformation, peace and democratic governance, advances in science and technology, social inclusion, institutional reform and a clearer geopolitical strategy for the bloc.
On the economic front, the organisation is targeting a significant increase in intra-regional trade, with ambitions to deepen industrialisation, strengthen food security and introduce a single regional currency, the ECO, in the coming years.
Security and governance proposals emphasise stricter opposition to unconstitutional changes of government, alongside plans to reinforce regional peacekeeping capacity through a stronger standby force.
In the technology space, the roadmap envisions the creation of a unified digital market, while social measures include increasing women’s representation in leadership roles and embedding youth participation in governance structures.
Institutional reforms are also central to the plan, with proposals aimed at improving accountability, strengthening merit-based systems and achieving financial independence for ECOWAS institutions through enhanced revenue mechanisms.
A major feature of the document is its emphasis on “strategic autonomy,” positioning ECOWAS as a unified geopolitical actor capable of defending West Africa’s sovereignty in an increasingly multipolar world.
The proposal further outlines a framework for structured dialogue and confidence-building measures with the AES countries to prevent permanent fragmentation of the region.
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 said the ultimate goal is to transform ECOWAS from an institution known for issuing declarations into one that delivers concrete public goods such as security, economic mobility and digital connectivity to citizens.
He noted that the draft Compact was developed through extensive consultations involving citizens across West Africa, civil society groups, the African diaspora, ECOWAS institutions and heads of state and government.
“The Compact for the Future of Regional Integration is a survival strategy for the region,” Musah said. “It 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.”
The presentation formed part of deliberations at the ongoing ECOWAS Parliament session, where lawmakers are examining the future of regional cooperation amid rising insecurity, democratic instability and economic pressures across West Africa.
