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Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger To Withdraw ECOWAS Permanently

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic are set to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by mid-2025, according to ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray.

Touray announced the planned exit during the 66th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government held on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

He revealed that the withdrawal process for the three nations will commence on January 29, 2025, and conclude by July 29, 2025, allowing time for further mediation and diplomatic engagement.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a related development, Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to ECOWAS, releasing ₦85 billion (approximately $54 million) as its community levy for the first time in nearly two decades.

The payment, covering Nigeria’s levy obligations from January 2023 through July 2024, was made on Friday, December 13, 2024.

Confirming the payment during his opening remarks at the summit, Touray praised the milestone achievement. “The good news, and indeed, very good news, is that for the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100 percent of its community levy,” he stated.

He commended Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, the government, and its citizens for demonstrating unwavering commitment to ECOWAS’ regional integration efforts.

The 66th summit, attended by regional leaders, also focused on pressing issues, including the political instability in member states and advancing ECOWAS’ agenda of economic integration.

Niger Withdraw ECOWAS

The exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS signals a significant shift in regional dynamics, further compounded by Nigeria’s strategic financial contribution to the bloc. Mediation efforts are expected to intensify as the 2025 timeline for the withdrawals approaches.