Africa-Press – Gambia. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) remains committed to introducing a single regional currency by 2027, despite ongoing challenges, according to the Commission’s President, Omar Touray.
Speaking to Gambian journalists at the State House in Banjul following a meeting with President Adama Barrow, Touray said the launch would begin with countries that are ready, while others will receive support to meet the necessary requirements.
“The launch of the currency will require a number of criteria to be met by member states, and we hope by the time it is launched those criteria will be met,” he explained.
Touray noted that member states must meet specific convergence criteria before adopting the currency, expressing hope that these conditions will be satisfied by the target date. He confirmed that the ECOWAS convergence council recently met in Abuja and reaffirmed 2027 as the launch year.
During his discussions with President Barrow, Touray also briefed him on the Commission’s succession plans, as the current leadership’s mandate will end in July 2026. He said ministers will soon convene to discuss the transition process.
On the matter of relations with the three Sahelian countries that have withdrawn from ECOWAS, Touray said the bloc continues to operate under existing protocols on the free movement of people and goods.
“So nothing has changed so far, and we are in a process of identifying chief negotiators who will work on our relations with the three countries, but until a new deal is concluded the status quo remains,” Touray indicated.
He added that the three countries have expressed interest in maintaining membership in certain ECOWAS agencies.
The ECOWAS leadership also congratulated President Barrow and the Gambian people for hosting a recent summit on governance in the Sahel.
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