The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing food security challenges, even as economic growth across West Africa is expected to strengthen over the next three years.

In its 2025–2027 Regional Economic Outlook, released on 9 June 2026, the ECOWAS Commission projects regional economic growth to rise from an estimated 4.3% in 2024 to 4.8% in 2025, 5.0% in 2026, and 7.1% in 2027. Growth is expected to be supported by expanding energy production, extractive industries, infrastructure development, and growth in financial and digital services.

Despite the positive outlook, ECOWAS warned that inflation, public debt pressures, climate change, trade disruptions, and ongoing security challenges continue to pose significant risks to the region’s economic performance.

Food security remains one of West Africa’s most pressing concerns. According to the report, more than 34.7 million people across the region required urgent food assistance in 2024. The Commission identified continued dependence on food imports, climate-related shocks, post-harvest losses, limited irrigation infrastructure, and trade restrictions as key factors undermining food system resilience.

While acknowledging progress under the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), the report calls for stronger coordination between national agricultural strategies and regional commitments. It also highlighted the role of initiatives such as the Regional Agricultural Information System (ECOAGRIS) and the Regional Food Security Reserve in improving preparedness and strengthening resilience among vulnerable communities.

ECOWAS noted that deeper regional integration will be critical to accelerating economic transformation and improving food security. The Commission pointed to opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), alongside the development of regional agri-food value chains, industrialisation efforts, and investments in transport and trade infrastructure.

To support inclusive and sustainable growth, ECOWAS recommended greater investment in agricultural transformation, mechanisation, irrigation, nutrition and early warning systems, while also calling for improved public financial management, stronger domestic resource mobilisation, and reduced barriers to intra-regional trade.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in implementing policies that promote macroeconomic stability, food security, economic transformation, and regional integration under the ECOWAS Vision 2050 framework.