The EconomicCommunity of WestAfricanStates (ECOWAS) has proposed a new six-pillar strategic initiative, “Compact of the Future of Regional Integration,” aimed at reshaping the bloc’s political and economic direction. Ecowas - which stands for the EconomicCommunity of WestAfricanStates - was founded in 1975 in a bid to improve economic and political integrationinWestAfrica. Prior to Wednesday's shake-up, the bloc had 15 members, including states like Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Lawmakers from the EconomicCommunity of WestAfricanStates have called for sweeping reforms to the regional bloc, warning that persistent insecurity, democratic backsliding and economic hardship are threatening the future of integration across WestAfrica. The presentation comes at a time when WestAfricaneconomies are under increasing pressure to generate domestic revenue amid rising debt levels and shrinking external assistance. Experts say that unless illicit financial flows are significantly reduced... ECOWAS parliamentarians have interrogated the details of the new “ECOWAS Compact of the Future of Regional Integration” unveiled by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. ECOWASinsights, WestAfrican cooperation facts, EconomicCommunity of WestAfricanStates, ECOWAS member countries, learn about ECOWAS, Africa regional organization, Senegal and ECOWAS, WestAfrican countries overview, benefits of ECOWAS, ECOWAS impact on... ECOWAS — the EconomicCommunity of WestAfricanStates — is a regional bloc set up to drive economicintegration, free movement, and collective security across WestAfrica. It was founded on 28 May 1975 by the Treaty of Lagos, signed by 15 WestAfrican heads of state.