ECOWAS experts meet in Accra to review and validate community levy operations manual

Experts from member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have convened in Accra to review, validate, and approve the draft regulations for the ECOWAS Community Levy Operations Manual. The four-day meeting brought together representatives from the Central Banks of Member States and members of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee.

Organised by the Finance and Budget Directorate of the ECOWAS Internal Services Department, the meeting aims to engage stakeholders in strategic discussions to finalise the ECOWAS Community Levy User Manual. The levy, a 0.5% tax on the total value of goods imported from non-ECOWAS countries, is the main source of funding for the bloc, accounting for 70% to 80% of its budget.

Dr Roberts Moikowa, representative of the Chairman of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee, emphasised that the manual is crucial for sustaining the levy and improving compliance, noting that the tax finances between 70% and 90% of ECOWAS activities and regional programmes.

On the sidelines, Molokwu Azikiwe, ECOWAS Commission Director of Budget and Treasury, said the review is vital to maintain the levy as a reliable funding source for regional integration programmes. “The community levy forms about 75 to 80 percent of ECOWAS programmes and activities and is our main source of revenue,” he stated. He added that after nearly 18 years of use, the protocol requires updating to address current trade and revenue collection realities.

Regarding enforcement, Azikiwe clarified that while the protocol provides for sanctions against non-compliance, final decisions rest with the Council of Ministers and Heads of State.

Prof. Nazil Abdullahi Darma, ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, noted that operational challenges make it imperative to develop an effective and contemporary operations manual.

The final ECOWAS Community Levy Operations Manual will be presented to the Council of Ministers for approval, marking a significant step in strengthening regional fiscal governance.