Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have introduced a 0.5% levy on goods imported from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) including Nigeria.
The three West African nations, all governed by military rulers, will use this levy to fund their newly created Alliance of Sahel States following their exit from ECOWAS two years ago.
The alliance, initially formed in defiance of ECOWAS leaders, has evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and economic integration, including the introduction of biometric passports.
The newly imposed levy will apply to all goods imported from outside the three countries, excluding humanitarian aid. The official statement noted that the funds generated would “finance the activities” of the alliance but did not provide further specifics.
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Also, it marks the end of decades of free trade across ECOWAS nations and shows the widening rift between the Alliance of Sahel States and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana.
Observers note that this new levy could significantly alter trade dynamics across West Africa, particularly for Nigeria, whose economy and exports are deeply intertwined with its neighboring countries.
The move also raises questions about the future of ECOWAS, as internal fractures continue to challenge its effectiveness as a regional bloc.
