Dataphyte Foundation, a social impact organisation dedicated to using data tools and technology to promote socio-economic development in Nigeria, hosted a webinar on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. The event examined the implications of the exit of the Alliance of Sahel States – which comprises Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – on ECOWAS and West Africa at large.
The webinar, moderated by Dataphyte’s Senior Researcher, Joachim MacEbong, drew over 60 participants and featured expert panellists, including Teniola Tayo, a Research Fellow, West African Think Tank (WATHI), and Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, a Predoctoral Research Fellow, International Centre for Tax and Development . The discussion examined the political, security, and economic implications of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s exit from ECOWAS, highlighting concerns over external influence, regional instability, and trade disruptions.
With Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger leaving ECOWAS, the webinar focused on the political, security, and economic effects of their departure. With over 400 million people in West Africa affected by regional policies, speakers discussed the impact on governance, trade, and security. The conversation highlighted the need for reforms to maintain stability and economic cooperation.
“While ECOWAS remains a significant economic block, the reality is that trade within the UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) framework holds more weight for these countries. However, restrictions on free movement could disrupt cross-border trade, affecting businesses and livelihoods,” she noted.
Speaking on the role of regional cooperation and security, Afolabi Adekaiyaoja noted that growing disillusionment with democratic governance and external influences fueled the decision of these countries to exit ECOWAS.
He highlighted that, “A key challenge remains how the region can address governance dissatisfaction while fostering internal trade, security, and development. Citizens must see tangible benefits from integration to continue supporting regional cooperation.”
The panelists concluded that while the departure of these countries signals a shift in regional dynamics, it presents an opportunity for ECOWAS to reassess its role and effectiveness. They emphasized the need for stronger regional institutions, increased citizen participation, and a renewed focus on economic and infrastructural integration.
The discussion was part of Dataphyte’s ongoing efforts to provide data-driven insights into governance, policy, and regional development in Africa.
Dataphyte’s Senior Researcher, Joachim MacEbong, in his concluding remarks, emphasized the need for ECOWAS to reflect on its identity and purpose. He stated, “ECOWAS needs to agree on what it wants to be. Just like when we ask children what they want to be when they grow up, ECOWAS must now ask itself the same question. As it marks its 50th anniversary, this is a critical time for self-reflection and strategic direction. If this conversation does not happen, in the next five or six years, we may see more countries question their place in the bloc, making it even harder to sustain its relevance”.
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