Germany’s increased financial support to ECOWAS aims to stabilize West Africa

Germany’s announcement last month that it would provide greater support to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in its efforts to secure peace in the region and prevent future crises, suggests that European leaders see the organization as crucial to the future stability of West Africa.
The agreement to provide greater financial support to ECOWAS was reached at talks in Berlin (29 September) between Germany’s Development Ministry and the ECOWAS Commission. Berlin has committed support totaling some 81 million euros to be used for the purposes of peace-building and economic development. ECOWAS is currently actively engaged in efforts to mediate in the Niger crisis and is also supporting the transition back to democracy in Mali and Burkina Faso.
The move comes at a time when the ECOWAS region faces a multitude of challenges. For example, climate change is leading to seasonal droughts, high water levels and floods, which in turn leads to crop failures, food insecurity and reduced opportunities to generate income. Armed terrorist groups are also weakening the region and increasing migration flows. Conflicts particularly impact young people and women. To raise their resilience, they require support in improving their employment situation and future prospects.
ECOWAS is one of several organizations striving to address these challenges — and restore stability — with measures that are specifically tailored to prevent conflicts and crises. Since 2020, there have been six successful and two attempted coups in the region since 2020, with the latest coming in Niger in July. When announcing the package, Germany’s Development Minister Svenja Schulze said that “solutions for the crises in West Africa must come from the region. ECOWAS is a central actor that not only actively mediates in crises, but also does a lot to prevent crises.” According to experts, Germany’s renewed financial commitment to ECOWAS suggests that European leaders see the organization as crucial to the future stability of West Africa.