By: David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister, Republic of Sierra Leone
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been heralded as an example for many things over its 50 years of existence. In the late 90s, ECOWAS was seen as a model for solidarity as governments transitioned to democracy. As a bloc, intra-regional trade expanded and the free movements of people became a model across Africa.
Recently however, after three countries – Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – successfully left the 15 member states bloc to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the fate of ECOWAS was put to a test. Insecurity in the Sahel region worsened, irregular migration and youth unemployment posed local threats and the need for a common approach for addressing our shared challenges became more apparent. Fifty years after its formation, the survival and relevance of ECOWAS became central to public debate.
When H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, was elected the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in June 2025, the question remained: what could be done in 12 months to restructure, rebuild and revitalize ECOWAS?
Today, trade volumes are about $130 billion annually, and 420 million people speak about 500 indigenous languages across our 15 countries. As Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, my first question to President Bio was, “Where do we start?”
“We start by listening,” he advised.
President Bio has just successfully completed a tour of seven countries in ECOWAS: Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Cape Verde and Senegal. President Bio has either held or is scheduled to hold virtual consultations with Liberia, Benin and Nigeria.
In each country, we met with the Heads of State and a small team of ministers and advisers. The sentiments were clear.
West Africa is a family that is better together. The time for reform is now so that all States can feel they belong. Institutions of ECOWAS must be strengthened and made more inclusive and fair. Regional economic integration will seed national development. And, very importantly, there is no alternative for peace and security. Together we must deliver on these promises for our people.
In more practical and tangible terms, the leaders of West Africa are aware of their responsibilities to the States and People of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – we are all one people and we must stay together. The call for a more inclusive and participatory conference of all leaders was loud – a summit of the future that has all voices at the table.
I am very hopeful that over the next 12 months, under the leadership of President Bio, Sierra Leone will lay the fundamental architecture for a more integrated, connected and revitalized ECOWAS that will work for our peoples. The next set of consultations and listening tour will be with the AES countries and Guinea. Once that is completed, the building blocks will quickly start going up. On this path, it’s no longer what the Chair of the Authority does, but rather what each and every leader in the region will do to deepen our bilateral and regional ties.
Personally, I am learning a lot from watching H.E President Bio play a role of regional statesman and leader, hearing how he listens, and seeing how his insights bring his fellow leaders along. Strength isn’t how high you raise your voice or how firm your handshake is, but rather it’s in the ability to hold space for others to share their ideas and offer solutions to our collective challenges and mutual opportunities.
