ECOWAS is accelerating the monetary integration process. Meeting in Abuja on 14 December 2025, on the occasion of the 68”, serif">è ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, West African leaders have taken important decisions in connection with the launch of the currency unique, the ECO.

During a special session devoted to the future of Community, the Conference formulated several major guidelines, first of a special Summit dedicated to regional integration. The Heads of State have in particular takes stock of the economic situation in the ECOWAS region and on the state of progress of Community programmes.

On the economic front, the Conference welcomed the resilience of ECOWAS economies in 2025. This performance results in an acceleration of economic growth, a gradual decline in inflationary pressures and sustained fiscal consolidation efforts in several Member States.

In order to consolidate these achievements, the leaders called on countries in the region to continue the economic reforms undertaken. They have also emphasized the need to intensify resource mobilization national and to improve the efficiency and quality of expenditure public authorities, an essential condition for successful monetary integration.

With specific reference to monetary integration, the Conference took note of the conclusions of the 12â session of the ECOWAS Convergence Council. She did, however, express her concerns about the still inadequate performance of some states members in the area of macroeconomic convergence, less than two years from official launch of the ECO.

The Heads of State also noted delays in the implementation of certain activities provided for in the Roadmap for launch of the single currency. These delays could, in their opinion, compromise compliance with the initial timetable if corrective measures are not quickly taken.

Faced with this situation, the Conference invited States members to adopt appropriate economic policies in order to meet the macroeconomic convergence criteria. She also called for research of a consensus on the sensitive institutional arrangements that are essential at the effective launch of ECO.

In this dynamic, the Conference asked the Commission of ECOWAS to reactivate the Presidential Task Force on the Programme of single currency. This structure should facilitate political dialogue, speed up decision-making and allow consensus on issues deemed sensitive or urgent.

Through these measures, ECOWAS reaffirms its commitment to make ECO a pillar of regional integration and an instrument for macroeconomic stability in the service of the development of West Africa.