Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Slam 0.5% Import Levy on Nigeria, ECOWAS Nations

The development comes as they seek to fund a new three-state union after leaving the larger regional economic bloc, they said in a statement.

Recall that the West African regional bloc, in January, in the spirit of regional solidarity, said they will recognise the national passports of the three countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice and will allow for free trade with the three states under military rule and free movement will happen without visas.

However, the three nations, according to an official statement, said the levy was agreed on Friday and will take effect immediately, noting that it will affect all goods imported from outside the three countries but will not include humanitarian aid.

Funds from the levy would be used to “finance the activities” of the bloc, the group said, without giving details.

The move ends free trade across West Africa, whose states have for decades fallen under the umbrella of the ECOWAS, and highlights the rift between the three states that border the Sahara Desert and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana to the south.

The three countries, each ruled by military juntas that came to power through recent coups in 2023, had established the Alliance of Sahel States as a security agreement following their exit from ECOWAS bloc.

Over time, this alliance evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans to promote deeper military and financial integration, including introducing biometric passports.

Last year, the three nations left ECOWAS, citing claims that the bloc had not sufficiently supported them in fighting Islamist insurgencies and addressing insecurity in their countries.

The three countries, which are former colonies of France, have lamented the excesses and involvement of the European country on its affairs and resources. It has since built new relationships with Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).