Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has issued a strong call for the region to end its economic dependence on former colonial powers. His remarks come at a time when West African nations are seeking to redefine their role in the global economy through increased regional integration and economic sovereignty.
ALSO READ: ARISE IIP’s $443 Million Investment to Expand West African Industrial Zones
During a ministerial engagement ahead of the West Africa Economic Summit, Tuggar outlined the strategic imperative for West Africa to build a self-sustaining economic framework. He pointed to the persistent challenges that have limited the region’s intra-regional trade, which remains low in comparison to other economic blocs such as the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. According to regional trade data, intra-ECOWAS trade hovers around 12 to 13 percent, reflecting a reliance on external partners that continues to constrain the region’s growth and resilience.
The minister identified structural barriers such as non-tariff obstacles, customs inefficiencies, and underdeveloped infrastructure as core issues that undermine the region’s potential. He stressed the importance of addressing these challenges in order to unlock West Africa’s economic capabilities and reduce its vulnerability to external shocks. The push for greater economic independence is seen not only as a development goal but also as a necessary step toward political and financial autonomy.
ALSO READ: Africa’s Top 5 Cities: Urban Powerhouses Shaping the Continent’s Future
Tuggar’s message was framed within the broader geopolitical context, where former colonial powers continue to influence West Africa’s economic and monetary policies through various mechanisms. While he did not mention any specific countries, analysts have pointed to long-standing relationships, particularly involving Francophone nations and the use of the CFA franc, as examples of enduring external control.
Regional integration efforts, such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the West African Power Pool, and key infrastructure corridors like the Abidjan-Lagos highway, were cited as critical tools for driving economic transformation. However, the success of these initiatives depends on the extent to which governments and the private sector commit to removing operational and regulatory hurdles.
ALSO READ: Powering West Africa’s Purses: The Leading Digital Lending Platforms in 2025
The statement also aligned with ongoing efforts to operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a unified African market. According to Tuggar, a more interconnected and self-reliant West Africa would be better positioned to benefit from such continental frameworks, leveraging its demographic potential and growing urban markets.
The call to reduce economic dependence marks a strategic pivot toward a more autonomous future for West Africa. With decisive leadership and robust policy coordination, the region is aiming to redefine its economic trajectory, moving away from legacy dependencies and toward greater regional ownership, resilience, and global competitiveness.
