Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Friday, gathered in Abuja to advance discussions on the launch of a single regional currency, the ECO.
This significant assembly underscores a collective ambition to drive economic growth and enhance integration across West Africa.
The meeting received a strong endorsement from Nigeria, the region’s largest economy.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Finance, Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, highlighted the pivotal role the ECO is expected to play in fostering economic development within the community.
“Nigeria is fully committed to the ECO and its potential to improve economic growth and development in the region,” Edun stated.
The Abuja meeting focused on detailed preparations for the introduction of the ECO, marking a crucial step toward the realization of this ambitious currency integration project.
The discussions aimed to lay a robust groundwork to ensure a smooth transition to a single currency system among the fifteen member states of ECOWAS.
The envisioned single currency extends beyond the simplification of monetary transactions—it seeks to become a cornerstone of economic integration.
By streamlining trade and enhancing monetary stability, the ECO aims to transform the economic landscape of West Africa, making it easier for countries to engage in cross-border commerce and investment.
The gathering saw the participation of key economic leaders from the region, including Mr Olavo Correia, Minister of Finance of Cape Verde; Mr Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of Cote d’Ivoire; and Mr Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of Finance of Ghana.