Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS - CEDEAO)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS; also known as CEDEAO in French) is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, ECOWAS was set up to foster the ideal of collective self-sufficiency for its member states. As a trading union, it is also meant to create a single, large trading bloc through economic cooperation. ECOWAS is made up of Institutions and Specialised Agencies.