The Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement has announced plans to host a high-level regional dialogue in Abuja to mark the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The two-day event, themed “Reimagining West Africa Regional Cooperation and Integration: Alternative Futures,” will take place on October 31 and November 1, 2025, at the ECOWAS Commission Auditorium in Asokoro, Abuja.
According to a statement by the institute on Wednesday, the meeting will gather policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders to reflect on ECOWAS’ integration journey and explore new strategies for regional cooperation.
The forum is being organised in collaboration with the African Leadership Centre, the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), and WATHI.
Organisers said the discussion will examine the paradox of West African integration — the contrast between the ambitious goals set by member states and the everyday realities of citizens. “While governments often set the agenda, grassroots interactions continue to outpace formal policies, revealing a widening gap between institutional frameworks and citizen-led integration,” the statement noted.
The event will also feature the second edition of The African Public Square (APS), following its inaugural session in London in 2023. The debate will bring together experts in international development and public policy to assess ECOWAS’ achievements and challenges, including the recent withdrawal of three member states.
Participants will evaluate key milestones such as the ECOWAS Passport and free movement protocols, while addressing ongoing issues like insecurity, economic disparities, and the delayed introduction of a common currency.
Organisers highlighted that ECOWAS’ Vision 2050 seeks to transform the bloc from “an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of Peoples,” calling for stronger political commitment, inclusive governance, and citizen engagement.
“As the region marks this golden jubilee, the African Public Square offers a timely platform for reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to ensuring that regional integration becomes not only a policy objective but a lived reality for all West Africans,” the statement added.
