Author(s) :

Amwe Sunday Aku, Aisha Ajoke Abdussalam.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The study seeks to assess the utilisation of cross-border initiatives towards effective participation by ECOWAS for enhanced regional development. This was carried out using a mixed method of incorporating primary and secondary data collection. The primary data collection involved questionnaires and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, while secondary sources such as government reports, academic publications, and media coverage were engaged to supplement and contextualise the findings. The analysis revealed that leveraging cross-border cooperation by ECOWAS for regional development is impacted by the border communities’ infrastructures, informal cross-border trade, grazing rangelands, and cross-border insecurity as important, influential factors. It was also highlighted that the formation of the peace and prosperity taskforce offers an opportunity for cross-border communities to initiate conflict prevention, management, and resolution. Also, a lack of financial and technical assistance, cumbersome approval processes, competing priority needs, and few development partners were revealed. Based on the findings, the study recommends fostering cooperation between state parties through the development of joint planning and action commissions. Keywords: ECOWAS, Cooperation, Cross-border, Regional Development.

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