The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) officially launched its 50th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, with President Bola Tinubu commending the bloc’s achievements in regional integration and economic cooperation.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement, represented by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, President Tinubu addressed dignitaries and heads of state at the Accra International Conference Centre, marking the start of a year-long series of commemorative events across all member states.
“Today, we celebrate numerous remarkable achievements that distinguish ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the African continent.
In five decades, we have established one of Africa’s most vibrant free trade areas, fostering intra-regional commerce and lifting millions from poverty,” he stated.
President Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by the bloc, including political instability, economic hardship, and security threats, but emphasized resilience and unity.
“Despite our shared vision, too many of our citizens still live in poverty, too many of our children lack access to quality education, and too many of our youth remain unemployed, disillusioned, or forced to seek opportunities abroad,” he said.
The President called on member states to “reimagine the organisation as a Community of People and not merely as a community of states,” urging investment in education, innovation, and skills development to unlock Africa’s potential. He also advocated for deeper economic cooperation and support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a vehicle for transformation.
Ghana’s President John Mahama echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for ECOWAS to be seen as a “living organisation that understands the hopes and aspirations” of its citizens.
He announced that Ghana would offer 1,000 scholarships to university students across the ECOWAS subregion to boost educational opportunities.
The launch featured the unveiling of the official ECOWAS Golden Jubilee logo and theme, alongside cultural performances celebrating the bloc’s history and achievements since its founding in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1975.
