Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have imposed a 0.5% levy on goods imported from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations as they push forward with their breakaway economic bloc.
The military-led governments of the three Sahel nations, which exited ECOWAS in 2024, announced the levy on Friday, stating that it would take effect immediately. According to an official statement, the tariff is intended to “finance the activities” of their newly formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES), though specific financial plans were not disclosed.
The move further fractures regional trade dynamics, marking the end of decades of free trade under ECOWAS. It also intensifies tensions between the junta-led nations and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana, which remain within the regional bloc.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger initially formed the AES as a security pact in response to ECOWAS sanctions imposed after their respective coups in 2023. Over time, the alliance has evolved into an economic coalition, with plans to deepen military and financial ties, including the introduction of biometric passports.
The three countries have justified their ECOWAS exit by accusing the bloc of failing to provide adequate support in their fight against Islamist insurgencies. In response, ECOWAS imposed sweeping economic and political sanctions, which have so far failed to reverse the juntas’ hold on power.
The newly introduced levy signals a firm step toward economic independence for the AES while posing fresh challenges for trade in West Africa, particularly for Nigeria, the region’s largest economy.
