ECOWAS Reaffirms 2027 Launch Date for Single ECO Currency

The bloc's heads of state confirmed the timeline at their summit in Lungi, signaling continued commitment to monetary integration despite regional political headwinds.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-21 15:49 UTC · 1 min read

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to launching a single regional currency, the ECO, in 2027.

The decision was adopted as a key resolution during the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

The confirmation underscores the bloc's ongoing push for deeper economic and monetary integration across its 15 member states.

By locking in the 2027 target, leaders aim to provide clarity for businesses and investors navigating the region's fragmented currency landscape.

The move is intended to reduce transaction costs, stabilize exchange rates, and enhance the bloc's collective bargaining power in global trade.

However, the path to a unified currency remains fraught with challenges.