ECOWAS Reviews Implementation Of Community Levy On All Imports Into Region

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has revisited the implementation of the regional community levy, which is on the agenda for the Commission’s Committee on Administration and Finance’s 35th meeting.
The Commission had adopted a community levy of 0.5 per cent on all imports into the region rather than member states’ contributions, but there have been challenges in implementing the protocol adopted in 2014.
Members of the committee are drawn from 12 member states, as three member states—Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic—have indicated their intention to withdraw from the 15-member regional bloc.
Members of the committee are in Abuja for the next five days to discuss ongoing commission reform and the issue of the community levy.
The committee is also expected to discuss the Commission’s organogram, which has been in use since 2018.
The expected organogram review will affect all ECOWAS institutions, including the community court, parliament, and commission.
The review is expected to take into account the recent reduction of committee sizes from 15 to 7.
During the five days, the members will be reviewing a report ranging from 100 to 150 pages.
At the end of the five days, members are expected to adopt the proposal and forward it to the Council of Ministers for review and adoption.
Damien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, pleaded with member states in her opening remarks to follow the community protocol, particularly the Community Levy Protocol.
She stated, “I would like to make an urgent appeal to all member states so that they can comply as soon as possible with the provisions of the protocol relating to the community levy.”
She emphasised that paying the community levy will “allow us to ensure the proper functioning of institutions and the implementation of projects within the community.”
She also raised the impact of the exit of the three countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic, on the community levy.
She stated, “I would like to remind you that today’s meeting is taking place in a challenging environment, marked by regional and global uncertainties.”
“The announced withdrawal of our three member states appeals to us all in multiple ways.
“We must therefore put everything in place to safeguard our unity, our secular ties, our spirit of fraternity and solidarity, as a result of an inclusive development,” she stated.
Speaking about the significance of the meeting, Tchintchibidja stated, “This is a retreat that would also benefit our institutions in terms of community levy. Regarding the community levy, I would like to remind you that it is still the primary source of funding for ECOWAS programmes and activities.
Ambassador Emmanuel Awe, the CAF’s chairman, emphasised the importance of committee members continuing to work on policies and programmes that improve and promote integration.

Awe stated, “We owe our community the obligation to carry out our mandate objectively and impartially.
“And, in keeping with the task assigned to this committee, I urge you to continue your efforts to implement policies, projects, and programmes that improve and promote prudent management of community resources, as well as advance our regional integration objectives in line with the ECOWAS vision 2050.”