Though ECOWAS has achieved many things, there still remains a lot to be done, especially where the main objective of ECOWAS is concerned. The economic policy, the implementation of protocols is still on a low level. The aim of creation of a common market with one currency declared in 1975 is still far from becoming a reality. ECOWAS and UEMOA had planned to harmonies their fiscal and trade policies as well as trade liberation schemes in order to merge in 2004. Regrettably due to the failed establishment of the secondary currency zone scheduled for 2003, the merger could not take place.

In addition, the obligations the member states incurred concerning the free movement of persons and goods as well as the ECOWAS macro-economic convergence criteria have not been fulfilled yet. Most of the member states owe different ECOWAS institutions large amounts of money, which slow down the integration process and the implementation of community programmes. However, the community levy, a 0.5% tax on all imports from non ECOWAS Member States, helps to secure the funding of ECOWAS.

As for the infrastructure programmes, ECOWAS has set up ambitious programmes in the telecommunications (INTELCOM II) and the energy sector (West African Gas Pipeline Project), while the construction of interstates roads and the INTELCOM I programme have already been completed.

The most impressive progress however has been made in the security sector. As far as the adopted protocols are concerned, it can be considered as a model for regional security mechanism. Sadly, the implementation of the protocols is far behind schedule, as only seven Member States have ratified the Mechanism so far. The ECOWAS Executive Secretariat hopes that by the end of 2005, at least the Mechanism will come into force. The crisis in Cote d’Ivoire has also shown that ECOWAS can not act against the will of one of the more important states.

One of the main problems in ECOWAS today is that it is underfinanced and therefore understaffed. The implementation of ECOWAS protocols is also another one of its main problems. So the challenge for ECOWAS Executive Secretariat in the near future is to strengthen the political will within the Member States regarding the realization of ratification and domestication of adopted protocols.