The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries, founded on May 28, 1975 with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos. Its mission is to promote economic integration. In 1976 Cape Verde joined ECOWAS, and in December 2000 Mauritania withdrew, having announced its intention to do so in December 1999.

It was founded to achieve "collective self-sufficiency" for the member states by means of economic and monetary union creating a single large trading bloc. The very slow progress towards this aim meant that the treaty was revised in Cotonou on July 24, 1993 towards a looser collaboration. The ECOWAS Secretariat and the Fund for Cooperation, Compensation and Development are its two main institutions to implement policies. The ECOWAS Fund was transformed into the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development in 2001.

ECOWAS is one of the pillars of the African Economic Community.

Member states of ECOWAS include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The current President of the Commission is Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas. The current chairman is President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria.

Republic of Benin

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin (formerly known as Dahomey until 1975), is a country in Western Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north; its short coastline to the south leads to the Bight of Benin. Its size is just over 110,000 km² with a population of almost 9,500,000. Its capital is Porto Novo, but the seat of government is in the largest city of Cotonou. Its official language is French and the country is largely dependent in agriculture.

Republic of Ghana

The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The word Ghana means "Warrior King," and was the source of the name "Guinea" (via French Guinoye) that is used to refer to the West African coast (as in Gulf of Guinea). Ghana was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient kingdoms, including the Ga-Daŋmes on the eastern coast, inland Empire of Ashanti and various Fante states along the coast and inland. Trade with European states flourished after contact with the Portuguese in the 15th century, and the British established a crown colony, Gold Coast, in 1874. Upon being the first Sub-Saharan African nation to achieve independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana that once extended throughout much of western Africa. In the Ashanti language it is spelled Gaana. Ghana is the second largest cocoa producer in the world, and one of the world's largest gold producers and Ghana is home to Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world by surface area. The Population is 24.2 Million (2010 est.) and official language is English.

Republic of Guinea

Guinea, officially Republic of Guinea (pronounced /ni/, French: Republique de Guinee), is a country in West Africa formerly known as French Guinea. The country's current population is estimated at 10,211,437 (CIA 2008 estimate). Its official language is French. Guinea's size is almost 246,000 square kilometres (94,981 sq mi). Its territory has a crescent shape, with its western border on the Atlantic Ocean, curving inland to the east and south. The Atlantic coast borders Guinea-Bissau to the north and Sierra Leone to the south. The inland part neighbors Senegal to the north, Mali to the north and north-east, Cote d'Ivoire to the south-east, and Liberia to the south. The Niger River runs through the nation, providing both water and irregular transportation. Conakry is the capital, seat of the national government, and largest city. The nation is sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbor Guinea-Bissau. Guinea has abundant natural resources including twenty five percent or more of the world's known bauxite reserves. Currently, Bauxite and alumina are major exports but the country also has diamonds, gold, and other metals. The country has great potential for hydroelectric power and most employment is in agriculture by more than 80%.

Republic of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea in the northeast, Liberia in the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of 71,740 km2 (27,699 sq mi) and has a population estimated at 6,296,803. The country has a tropical climate, with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests. Freetown is the capital, seat of government, and largest city. Bo is the second largest city. Other major cities in the country with a population over 100,000 are Kenema, Koidu Town and Makeni. The country is home to Fourah Bay College, the oldest university in West Africa, established in 1827. Sierra Leone has one of the world's largest deposits of rutile, a titanium ore used as paint pigment and welding rod coatings, with its economic dependency on exporting diamonds. Its official language is English.

Togolese Republic

Togo (officially the Togolese Republic) is a narrow country in West Africa bordering Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lome is located. The official language is French; however, there are many other languages spoken in Togo. Togo's size is just under 57,000 square kilometres (22,000 sq mi). It has a population of more than 6,100,000 people, which is dependent mainly on agriculture. The mild weather makes for good growing seasons. Togo is a sub-tropical, sub-Saharan nation. Togo gained its independence from France in 1960. In 1967, Gnassingbe Eyadema, the former leader of the country, led a successful military coup, after which he became President. Eyadema was the longest-serving leader in African history (after being president for 38 years) at the time of his death in 2005. In 2005, his son Faure Gnassingbe was elected president.

Republique du Mali/The Republic of Mali

Mali (Officially: Republique du Mali/The Republic of Mali) is a country in West Africa bordering Algeria to the North, Niger to the East, Burkina Faso. Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea to the South and Senegal, Mauritania to the West. It is a landlocked country and its size is 1,240,000 Km2 with a population of almost 1,350,000. Its capital is Bamako and official language is French. It is a republic with presidential system. It has been maintaining foreign relationship with a policy of omnidirectional diplomacy on the axis of nonalignment. Its GDP is US$ 4,386 Million; GNP per capita was approx. US$ 340, one of the poorest developing countries. The unit of the currency is Franc CFA. Its major industry is agriculture, livestock industry, manufacturing industry and mining industry. It has been promoting reformatting of economic structure with the assistance of IMF. The Government of Mail is concentrating its energy on improving the expenditure management in the public sectors, liberalization of economic and manufacturing sectors, exposing of corruption, consolidation of the tax base.

Republic of The Gambia

Gambia (Officially: Republic of The Gambia) is a narrow country in West Africa, surrounded by Senegal, formed long along with the Gambia River. Most of the people are Muslims and official language is English. Agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 70% of the labor force. Within agriculture, peanut production accounts for 6.9% of GDP, other crops 8.3%, livestock 5.3%, fishing 1.8%, and forestry 0.5%. Industry accounts for approximately 8% of GDP and services approximately 58%. The limited amount of manufacturing is primarily agricultural-based. For underground resources, there are bauxite, etc. Gambia got the independence on February18, 1965 and became a republic belonging to the British commonwealth. It has a free economy system. And tourism industry is representing an important share. Major crops are peanuts and rice.

Republica da Guine-Bissau

Guinea Bissau (Officially: Republica da Guine-Bissau) is a country in the coast of West Africa and became the Portuguese territory in the end of 16th century. A militant Group of Guinean Bissau, Capo Verde was formed and deployed an armed guerrilla war and got the independence from Portugal in September, 1974 and became a member of U.N. Its official language is Portuguese but only 14% can speak it and plural population speak Kriol or native African languages. The population of Guinea Bissau is approx. 1,670,000 and its size is 36,000Km2. Currently it is a republic with a presidential system. The economy depends The economy of Guinea Bissau, one of the poorest countries in the world depends mainly on agriculture; fish, cashew nuts and ground nuts are its major exports.

Republic of Liberia

Liberia (Officially: Republic of Liberia) was a first republic in Africa created in 1847. It is an independent country with a fairly long history located in the West of the Gulf of Guinea, borders Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire. The capital city is Monrovia and it has the population of 3,480.000 and the size of 96.000Km2. Official language is English. Current President is Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who was elected as the first African female president in 2005. Despite rich natural resources, its economic environment was compromised due to political problems in the past. The country is on major reformation after the ending of its long civil war under the leaderships of President Sirleaf and Vice President Boakai. Iron ores, diamonds, natural rubber, coffee and cocoa are the major resources. Iron ores and diamonds are abundant to take possession of 76% of total export. Economically it depends highly on USA. It has not participated in Korean war but it supported materials to Korea. It established a diplomatic relations with Korea in 1964. It established a diplomatic relations with North Korea but it ended in 1988 because of the incident of the explosion of Korean Air 858 by Kim Hyun Hi ordered from North Korea in 1987.

Republica de Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde (Officially: Republica de Cabo Verde) also known as Cape Verde is in the Atlantic Ocean in West Africa, consists of archipelagos of 10 major islands and 8 small islands. The capital city of Praia is located in Santiago island in the group of islands Sotaventos. The population of Cabo Verde approx.523,000 and the its size is no more than 4,000Km2.It was independent since July,1975. Its official language is Portuguese. It keeps presidential system and established a diplomatic relation with Republic of Korea in 1988 Cape Verde has few natural resources and relies on service industry for its economy, especially in tourism. Over 90% of all food consumed in Cape Verde is imported. Mineral resources include salt, pozzolana (a volcanic rock used in cement production), and limestone. Its small number of wineries making Portuguese-style wines has traditionally focused on the domestic market, but has recently met with some international acclaim.

Republique de Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire(officially: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire) is formerly known as Ivory Coast, is a country in West Africa with the population of 21,000,000 and the size of 322,000Km.2 Its capital city is Yamoussoukro, and the largest city is Abidjan. The official language is French and main religions are Islam, Christianity (mostly Roman Catholics) and indigenous religions. It is pro-France and claims to stand for liberal economy. Major exporting items are agricultural products like coffee, cocoa and timber which occupy more than 50% in export. The production of coffee and cocoa is the third in the world. The export of cocoa is world first. In the 1970’s two oil fields were found under the sea in the south of Abidjan and it will be able to be transformed to a petroleum exporting country. Ivory Coast has, for the region, a relatively high income per capita (USD 980 in 2008) and plays a key role in transit trade for neighboring, landlocked countries. The country is the largest economy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, constituting 40 percent of the monetary union’s total GDP. It is the fourth largest exporter of goods, in general, in sub-Saharan Africa (following South Africa, Nigeria and Angola). It is half-Sahara region and located in the West of African Continent. It borders Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. Because it has been maintaining close economic relations with France till the 1960’s, its economy showed a smooth progress. Thus, it was called as an honor student in West Africa. It has been keeping the comparatively high level of economy under the phrase of “Miracle of Ivoire”. Its currency is Francs CFA. Various agricultural technologies have been being developed, and foreign investments encouraged.

Republique du Niger

Niger (Officially: Republique du Niger) is a largest country in size in West Africa and borders Algeria, Libya, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. The capital is Niamey and its official language is French. Its population is 17,000,000 and its size is 267,000 Km2.It has a huge territory in the south of the Sahara. Most of its territory is dry land with desert in the North, and steppe in the South with a little rain in summer. So stock-farming is major industry and there is little farming land in the Niger river basin. It was independent from French West Africa in Aug 30, 1960. 95% of the population is Muslims. The underground resources like Iron ore, tungsten are expected to be developed, specifically the deposits of uranium is fifth in world and occupies 80% of major exports of Niger, but it is one of the poorest countries in the World. Diplomatic relations were established with Republic of Korea in 1964 and with North Korea in 1974

Nigeria / Federal Republic of Nigeria

Nigeria (Officially: Nigeria, Federal Republic of Nigeria)) is the biggest country in Africa, and 33rdin the World. It borders with Benin to the West, Chad and Cameroon to the East, with Niger to the North, and faces to The Gulf of Guinea to the South. Its population is170,000,000 and size is 923,000㎢. French and English are official languages. Abuja is its capital city. It established diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1977 and with South Korea in 1980. Nigeria was admitted as a member to OPEC first in black Africa. Its economic volume is distinguished in Africa. It recorded 4.3% of annual average economic growth in 1996-2005. Agricultural products vary depending on the regions Oil palms and coconuts are cultivated in the Southern Coast, cocoa and rubber in south west, peanuts and cotton are in the North savannah. All are produced from small farms. It is a distinguished oil producing country in the World, 90% of its export is occupied by Petroleum. Coal and tin are exported as underground resources. In Nigerian economy considered as a model of neocolonialism, the 80% of the revenue of foreign currency comes from the export of petroleum. Nigeria is classified as a mixed economy emerging market, and has already reached middle income status according to the World Bank

Republique du Senegal

Senegal (Officially: Republique du Senegal) is located at the westernmost tip of West Africa. The population is approx. 12,000,000, size is 196.000㎢. Most of the people are Muslims (94%), It official language is French. The Republic of Korea in 1962 and with North Korea in 1972 established a diplomatic relations respectively. ROK assisted Senegal with the cooperation in the agriculture. Its major products are peanuts and phosphate ores. Peanuts are called ‘yellow gold of Senegal occupy 25% of total export amount. As underground resources there are bauxite and iron ores other than phosphate. The main industries include food processing, mining, cement, artificial fertilizer, chemicals, textiles, refining imported petroleum, and tourism. The principal foreign market is India at 26.7 percent of exports (as of 1998). Other foreign markets include the United States, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso(Officially: Burkina Faso)means a country of honest people, with the population of 13,000,000 and with the land size of 274,000㎢. Its capital city is Ouagadougou. Its official language is French. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries even in the Africa. Its major industry is agriculture and livestock industry, and exports cotton and peanuts. Major imported items are machinery, automobiles and oil products. It produces little gold and is planning to develop high quality manganese ore as underground resources. With the Republic of Korea diplomatic relations were established in 1962 during its period of the Republic of Haute Volta and which has been being maintained after it changed the name of the country.

Republic of South Sudan

South Sudan (Officially: Republic of South Sudan) is a new born landlocked country in North Africa or East Africa. Its capital city is Juba. Its official language is English. On July 9th, 2011, it became independent from Sudan when it separated from Sudan and became the 54th independent country in African Continent. It has approx. 11,000,000 in population and the size of 644,000㎢. It borders with Sudan to the North, with Ethiopia to the East, Kenya, Uganda and D.R.C to the South and with Central African Republic to the West. In 2011 it agreed with Korea to establish a diplomatic relationships and it was recognized as a 193rd new born nation by UN. And on the July 15, UN passed unanimously the recommended resolution to admit Southern Sudan as its member. Thus South Sudan officially became the 193rd member nation of UN. Nearby the White Nile River, Agriculture is well developed owing to the developed agricultural farms. There is vast marshy swamp (local name is Bar El Gazal) and tropical rain forest formed by the White Nile River. It has plentiful of natural resources like Petroleum, natural gas, gold, silver, manganese, Zinc, Iron, lead, uranium, bronze, cobalt and nickel, etc.