As part of events marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Amandla Institute is set to host a High-Level Reflection Conference of Leaders from June 24 to 25, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The two-day, closed-door conference will convene some of the most influential figures in the history of ECOWAS to reflect on the bloc’s five-decade journey, evaluate its achievements and setbacks, and propose a renewed vision for the future of regional integration in West Africa.
Among the key participants are former Nigerian Head of State and ECOWAS founding figure, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.); Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, first President of the ECOWAS Commission; Dr. Abass Bundu, third Executive Secretary of the ECOWAS Secretariat; Dr. Omar Touray, current President of the ECOWAS Commission; and Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Co-Founder of the Amandla Institute and former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The conference will also feature eminent former ECOWAS officials, parliamentarians, jurists, and political leaders across the sub-region.
Themed “ECOWAS at 50: A High-Level Reflection Conference of Leaders,” the gathering will offer a platform for critical introspection on the regional bloc’s evolution, focusing on its role in economic integration, peace and security, and institutional development. Discussions will also tackle the current challenges facing the regional body, particularly in light of the recent exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which has raised concerns about the future of regional unity.
The conference programme includes a series of thematic sessions on ECOWAS’ foundational objectives, institutional performance, mediation and conflict resolution efforts, and positioning within the changing global geopolitical context.
Organisers say the event is aimed at generating actionable insights and recommendations to reinvigorate the ECOWAS project and ensure its continued relevance in promoting development, democracy, and stability across West Africa.
The Amandla Institute, an independent pan-African think tank co-founded by Dr. Fayemi, is dedicated to policy research and strategic dialogue on governance, security, and development issues. It is known for fostering inclusive and evidence-based approaches to Africa’s most pressing challenges.
