Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have recently announced the implementation of a 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other member nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This decision aims to fund the newly formed three-state union following their departure from the ECOWAS bloc, according to a joint statement released by the countries.
The levy, agreed upon on Friday, will take effect immediately and will apply to all imported goods entering the three nations, with the exception of humanitarian aid.
The statement indicated that the revenue generated from this levy would support the activities of their new economic alliance, although specific details on how the funds will be utilised were not provided.
This decision marks a significant shift in trade relations within West Africa, effectively ending the free trade arrangements that have been in place under ECOWAS for many years. It underscores the growing divide between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—each governed by military regimes following recent coups—and the more stable democracies like Nigeria and Ghana.
The three nations have previously established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security partnership aimed at addressing regional threats, particularly Islamist insurgencies.
Their exit from ECOWAS last year was justified by claims that the bloc had fallen short in its support against these security challenges.
In response, ECOWAS imposed economic, political, and financial sanctions on the trio in an attempt to restore constitutional governance, a move that has had limited impact.
