West African Juntas Impose 0.5% Levy On Goods From Nigeria, Other ECOWAS Nations 

A new 0.5% levy has been proposed on imported goods from Nigeria and other member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

They are seeking to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, according to a statement.

The trio’s official statement stated that the levy was agreed on Friday and will start in effect right away.

Humanitarian aid will not be affected by it, but it will be imported from outside the three nations, according to the statement.

Without providing specifics, it said it would “finance the activities” of the bloc.

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The move puts an end to free trade between West African states, which have for decades fallen under the ECOWAS, and highlights the tension between the three Sahara Desert-facing influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana in the south.

Following their exit from the ECOWAS bloc, the three countries, each led by military juntas that recently emerged as rulers in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement.

With plans to expand military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports, this alliance developed into an aspirational economic union over time.

The three countries left ECOWAS last year, citing allegations that the bloc had not adequately supported them in their efforts to combat Islamist insurgencies and address insecurity.