The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is planning to raise a massive $2.61bn to kickstart a 5,000-strong Standby Force. The goal is simple but urgent — fight terrorism head-on and restore peace across the West African region.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, revealed this at a joint Finance and Defence Ministers’ meeting in Abuja. He warned that terrorism is now one of the biggest threats slowing down regional growth, trade, and free movement of people. According to him, extremist violence is fast tearing the region apart.
Africa is now seen as the global hub of terrorist activities, especially the Sahel. A recent Global Terrorism Index confirmed this, linking the surge in attacks to weak governance and political instability. Touray explained that the standby force could either start small with 1,650 troops costing $481.5m or go big with 5,000 troops costing $2.61bn in the first year alone.
The idea is not new. Back in June 2024, ECOWAS Ministers had already made counter-terrorism and unconstitutional government takeovers top priorities. What is different now is the renewed push to make the plans real.
To raise the money, ECOWAS is considering several funding models. These include tweaking the Community Levy, recovering arrears, contributions from each country’s GDP, and direct budget allocations. Beyond that, they are also exploring more creative methods like public-private partnerships, blended financing, and even a special regional security fund.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, described the Abuja meeting as a “turning point” for ECOWAS. He stressed that the region must combine strategic goals with transparent and sustainable financing if the force is to work.
But money alone won’t solve the problem. Sierra Leone’s Deputy Defence Minister, retired Col. Brima Massaquoi, noted that investment in intelligence and training is equally crucial. “Counter-terrorism is not just about soldiers; it’s about leadership and readiness,” he said.
The standby force will also support intelligence sharing, joint training, and humanitarian efforts to reduce the suffering of victims of terrorism. Touray reminded leaders that the goal is more than military action — it is about restoring stability and protecting West African lives.
If ECOWAS succeeds, this move will mark a major shift in regional security. For a region struggling with terrorism and military coups, the big question is whether the political will can finally match the urgency of the moment.
