The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Oumar Alieu Touray, presented the 2025 Annual Report on the State of the Community to the ECOWAS Parliament during its Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature in Abuja on December 5, 2025. The session was presided over by Speaker Maimounatou Ibrahima.
In his presentation, Dr. Touray reviewed regional developments and institutional performance during a year that marked ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary. He emphasized the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaborative governance. “The 2025 report reflects both major achievements and unprecedented challenges,” he said.
Dr. Touray identified the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger as a significant event with political, economic, and security implications for ECOWAS.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Touray noted progress in several areas: “Improvements in economic growth, declining inflation, strengthened regional security operations, enhanced trade integration and major strides in sectoral development.” He also highlighted ongoing diplomatic engagement and institutional resilience aimed at maintaining stability and unity within the region.
According to the report presented by Dr. Touray, global economic trends in 2025 included moderate growth and stabilizing commodity prices. African economies showed resilience despite insecurity and debt burdens. Economic growth within ECOWAS is projected to reach 5% in 2026 while inflation dropped from 24.4% in 2024 to 16.8% in 2025 due to stronger revenue mobilization and macroeconomic reforms.
The report outlined progress in peace and security through preventive diplomacy, mediation initiatives, electoral support, cooperation with international partners such as the African Union and United Nations to address shared threats. Key security measures included deploying a regional Standby Force, expanding the West African Police Information System (WAPIS), and conducting joint maritime patrols against piracy and transnational crime.
ECOWAS institutions like Parliament, Court of Justice, GIABA (Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering), and WAHO (West African Health Organization) continued efforts to promote democracy, credible elections, rule of law, anti-financial crime measures and public health protection.
On regional integration efforts, ECOWAS made advancements by strengthening its Customs Union; implementing trade facilitation; supporting private-sector growth; advancing women’s economic empowerment; expanding youth entrepreneurship; progressing toward a single currency (ECO); investing in power projects; harmonizing codes; developing transport corridors; expanding digital infrastructure; improving food security; increasing climate resilience; implementing agricultural policy (ECOWAP); promoting gender equality; education initiatives; youth development programs; humanitarian response activities; public health improvements—despite financial pressures faced by EBID following member withdrawals.
Strategic recommendations were outlined for enhancing resilience: improved counter-terrorism coordination; advancing free movement initiatives like ECOVISA/SIGMAT systems; more investment in agriculture/renewable energy sectors; boosting climate adaptation measures; reinforcing domestic revenue mobilization frameworks for public finance harmonization—especially supporting states undergoing political transitions.
Reaffirming long-term goals under Vision 2050—“ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity for All”—Dr. Touray concluded by emphasizing dedication to deepening solidarity across West Africa: “ECOWAS is dedicated to deepening regional solidarity, advancing inclusive development and safeguarding peace and stability across West Africa.”