West African juntas impose 0.5% levy on imported goods from ECOWAS nations to fund new alliance

|Published 9:30 PM ET, Monday March 31, 2025|

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced a 0.5% levy on imported goods to finance their newly formed three-state union, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This levy applies to all imports from outside these countries, excluding humanitarian aid, and takes immediate effect. ​

The AES, initially established as a security pact in 2023, has evolved into an aspiring economic and military union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic ties. The introduction of this levy marks a significant shift, effectively ending the free trade framework that existed under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and highlighting the growing rift between the Sahel states and regional powers such as Nigeria and Ghana. ​

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These developments underscore the complex dynamics in West Africa, as nations navigate regional alliances and economic policies amid ongoing security challenges. The imposition of the import levy may have far-reaching implications for trade and economic integration within the region.

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