The Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) was founded on May 28 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos. It aims to promote economic integration in the African Continent, and seeks to promote cooperation and integration, with a view to establishing an economic and monetary union as a mean of strengthening economic growth and development in West Africa.
Its mission is to promote economic integration in all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters.
It has important contributions in different sectors, such as: Education, Culture, Science and Technology; Trade, Customs and Tourism; Gender, Youth, CSO, Employment, Drug Control; Humanitarian and Social Affairs; Energy; Poltical Affairs; Private Sector; Defence and Security; Infrastructure; Transport and Telecommunications. For example, under the Humanitarian and Social Affairs Department: the ECOWAS Policy for Disaster Risk Reduction was approved; technical support is given to fight the human trafficking phenomenon; work is being done to harmonise labour laws for the purpose of promoting the welfare and security of workers; work is being done towards building professionalism and ethical standards in the public service of the region.
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Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) Official Website
