** Fifty years of Cédéao: assessment and future prospects **
The Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO), founded on May 28, 1975 with the signing of the Lagos Treaty, has largely contributed to shaping the economic and political landscape of the sub-region. On this year of the 50th anniversary, it is essential to take stock of the successes and challenges that this organization has encountered over the decades.
### Acquired and advanced
Among the main successes of the Cédéao, the free movement of goods and people constitutes an undeniable achievement. The fact that a single travel document is now necessary to cross a large number of West African countries testifies to a real progress in the facilitation of exchanges. This progress, mentioned by Nazif Abdullahi, the Cédéao internal commissioner, has enabled many nationals to move freely and establish trade relations, thus promoting economic integration.
We can also salute initiatives such as the West African Power Pool (WAPP), which has considerably improved access to energy by interconnecting the electrical networks of several countries. The project indicates an approach turned towards regional cooperation to meet increasing energy demand, while theoretically reducing electricity costs for consumers.
### The challenges to be met
Despite these achievements, it is obvious that the Cédéao is faced with several obstacles which hinder its full potential. The observation is bitter: intra -regional trade stagnates at less than 15 % of the total exports. This figure raises questions about the means to be implemented to energize exchanges between Member States, while reflecting on policies that could encourage greater economic integration.
Another point of friction is lack of infrastructure. Although the Lagos-Abidjan corridor is a successful illustration of infrastructure projects, many other projects remain unanswered. Delays in the realization of these infrastructures can thus slow down the economic ambitions of the Member States and hinder the fluidity of trade, thus increasing the cost of trade.
Another major challenge is the need for a common currency, which remains an unresolved question. The consensus on this currency is lacking, which could limit the capacity of the Cédéao to act as a unified economic player. The economic and demographic predominance of Nigeria also raises questions about the balance of power within the organization. While the country is often perceived as the natural leader of the CEDEAO, it is essential to consider how to effectively integrate other Member States to ensure truly balanced cooperation.
Financially, the organization faces concerns about the payment of contributions by the Member States. This point highlights broader questions about the commitments of countries vis-à-vis regional integration. External funding, largely of Western origin, add a layer of complexity to the sustainability of Cédéao projects and raise the question of the organization’s financial autonomy.
### to an enlightened future
In such a complex context, it is crucial to ask the question: how can the Cédéao face these challenges while consolidating its successes? The response could reside in a larger collaboration focused on the Member States. Discussion forums, workshops on economic integration, and awareness -raising initiatives could promote the sharing of best practices and successful experiences.
It is also necessary to strengthen financing mechanisms, in particular by promoting the regular contributions of member countries, while diversifying sources of funding. This could include partnerships with regional and international institutions, while ensuring that the main objective is to promote regional integration.
Ultimately, the future success of the Cédéao will depend on its ability to overcome these current challenges while taking advantage of its past achievements. The history of the last 50 years reveals precious lessons, and it would be wise to take advantage of it to build a future that promotes prosperity, peace and integration between its members. The path to a real economic and political unity in West Africa is still dotted with pitfalls, but with a shared vision and a collective commitment, it is possible to achieve ambitious goals for the decades to come.