Background context
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plays a central role in developing regulations, policies, and programmes on behalf of its Member States to enhance regional cooperation, political stability and economic growth. Yet challenges lie ahead on the way to an integrated economic and democratic development in the region.
As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, the organisation is reflecting on its history of advancing democracy, governance, peace, and regional integration, while also adapting to a changing geopolitical environment.
To contribute to this reflection, German Development Cooperation through its Organisational Development Programme: Support to the ECOWAS Commission, commissioned the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) to produce 14 policy papers under the ECOWAS Policy Analysis Series (EPAS) to explore how ECOWAS can better engage with civil society, the private sector, local communities, youth, and women to address pressing challenges in the years ahead. These papers provide in-depth analysis of ECOWAS’s achievements and challenges by autumn 2025.
About the Brussels Dialogue Event
Based on the key findings of the EPAS, the event will bring the European-African Partnership into action in order to enrich dialogue on challenges and perspectives for deepening regional integration.
- Enhance awareness of ECOWAS’s achievements and challenges after 50 years.
- Share evidence-based insights from the EPAS to inform EU–ECOWAS policy dialogue.
- Stimulate debate on how ECOWAS can adapt its role in deepening regional integration.
- Strengthen visibility of ECOWAS and deepen mutual understanding with Brussels Stakeholders including European partners, international organisations, and the African diaspora.
The Speakers
Dr. Amandine Gnanguênon
Speaker
Senior Fellow and Head of Geopolitics Program, APRI
