Nigeria hosted a crucial meeting of ECOWAS defence and finance ministers in Abuja on Friday, as the bloc seeks sustainable financing for its Standby Force (ESF), a strategic tool in combating terrorism and political instability across West Africa.
The three-day expert conclave, held from 27 to 29 August 2025, produced a detailed report outlining several resource mobilisation options, including adjustments to the community levy and measures to recover unpaid contributions from member states.
Ministers taking over from the expert panel noted that current funding remains insufficient to make the Force fully operational and respond to urgent security needs in the region.
“The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality now,” Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasised, underscoring the urgency of the initiative amid growing security challenges.
The ESF, designed to integrate military, police, and civilian components, prioritises respect for human rights, gender inclusion, and conflict prevention, following training guidelines established in July 2025.
These efforts build on recommendations from the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) in August 2024 and subsequent work in February 2025, aimed at strengthening logistical and operational capacities for effective peace operations.
The discussions come at a sensitive time, with three Sahelian countries—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—having withdrawn from ECOWAS, citing the bloc’s alleged inaction against jihadist attacks and accusing it of external influence. The departures have heightened the pressure on remaining member states to ensure the ESF becomes a functional and credible instrument of regional security.
ECOWAS aims to deploy a 5,000-strong force, including a priority counterterrorism brigade of 1,650 troops. The initiative complements existing regional security frameworks such as the Accra Initiative and the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, and aligns with Vision 2050 goals for an integrated, peaceful, and resilient West Africa.
Ministers and experts reiterated that operationalising the ESF is vital for rapid crisis response, collective security, and regional stability, emphasising that sustainable funding and robust coordination will determine the Force’s success in safeguarding West Africa against evolving threats.
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