ECOWAS Seeks $300m for 5-Year Peace Programs in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) requires approximately $300 million over the next five years to fund peacebuilding initiatives across the West African sub-region.
This figure represents the financial target for the ECOWAS Peace Fund (EPF), which is aimed at supporting the bloc’s 2021–2025 strategic peace plan. The EPF recently convened a meeting in Abuja with partners and stakeholders to discuss the way forward.
According to ECOWAS, successfully implementing the peace initiatives will demand substantial resources, including financial, technical, and human support. In the long term, the fund is expected to be self-sustaining, reducing its dependence on financial support from the ECOWAS Commission.
Since its creation in 2006, the EPF has focused on mobilizing resources, managing donor-funded projects, and coordinating peace and security efforts in the region. Between 2006 and 2020, the fund facilitated $15.7 million in projects, supported peace operations in 11 member states, and invested $49 million in peacekeeping efforts, notably in Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia.
At the Abuja meeting, EPF Manager Dieudonne Nikiema highlighted the ongoing efforts to refine the fund’s structure to better serve its mission, stressing the importance of collaboration among ECOWAS, specialized agencies, and development partners. He acknowledged that the current 5% community levy funding mechanism has limitations and called for new approaches to increase resources.
Dr. Tony Elumelu, Director in Charge of ECOWAS’ Private Sector, emphasized the private sector’s interest in contributing to peace, which is essential for creating a stable business environment. He highlighted the need for cooperation with the EPF to support regional economic development and engage youth through sustainable investments.
The private sector, he noted, is key to fostering economic growth in a peaceful West Africa, stressing that businesses thrive where peace prevails.
