By Kwaku Sakyi-Danso
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire also set to rank among top 15 economies within 25 years, Dr. Kalilou Sylla tells regional parliament.
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Nigeria will become the world’s fifth most powerful and richest country within the next fifty years, according to Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at the ECOWAS Commission.
Speaking at the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the Community Parliament held in Abuja from May 4 to 17, Dr. Sylla also revealed that Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are forecast to rank among the world’s fifteen richest nations within the next twenty-five years.
The projections, he said, come from the United Nations (UN) and several leading global universities.
Dr. Sylla made the remarks while presenting alongside Ambassador Dr. Fatau-Mussah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, on the outcome of Regional Consultations ahead of a special summit on the future of regional integration in West Africa.
Côte d’Ivoire to overtake France?
Taking questions from ECOWAS lawmakers on the sub-region’s economic performance, the commissioner added that within seventy years, Côte d’Ivoire is expected to be richer than its former colonial master, France.
Member states need to be humble by these facts,” he said.
Institutions ‘lagging behind’ citizens
However, Dr. Sylla struck a cautious note regarding the pace of regional integration. He lamented that a recent high-level compact on charting a new people-centered trajectory for West Africa had highlighted a troubling disconnect.
We are working very far from the ECOWAS citizens – the people are ahead, and we as community institutions are lagging behind,” he said.
Nigeria urged to lead regional market strategy
The commissioner emphasised that Nigeria must work more closely with its ECOWAS neighbours.
The sub-region is a very important space. Figures need to be shared with MPs. It is not the American or English markets that will let the Nigerian market grow, but the sub-regional markets.”
He called on Nigeria to develop a clear economic strategy for West Africa, warning that without it, little would change.
I am from Côte d’Ivoire, but I can say I am from Nigeria. Our destiny depends on Nigeria. Whether you are from Togo or Ghana, you are from Nigeria. Look at exports in West Africa. Nigeria represents the second exporter with 70 percent of its wealth. More alarming is that the Nigerian market is not accessible to us – it is ranked 7th in terms of market access classification. Our success depends a lot on Nigeria.”
He added: “If Nigeria does not establish a clear policy for West Africa, nothing will change. We cannot be the 5th most powerful country in the world in fifty years without having a clear economic interest for West Africa regarding the transfer of goods.”
Call for a stronger ECOWAS Parliament
Dr. Sylla also urged the Community Parliament to move beyond its current advisory role.
You need to find your own strategy to move away from an advisory role. We need a parliament that is forward-looking. You do not need the Commission to tell you what your role should be.”
He challenged lawmakers to define what kind of ECOWAS Parliament they want in fifty years’ time, so the Commission can budget accordingly.
All the MPs here have the capacity to impact policies in your various member states before 2035. That should be your role.”
Progress on intra-regional trade
Despite the challenges, the commissioner noted that ECOWAS has doubled intra-regional trade to 40 percent in just four years.
“That means it is possible. We can move faster, but we are not yet there.”
On financial services, he pointed to Nigerian banks, which have offices across the region, as a sign of importance – but reiterated the need for a coordinated Nigerian strategy.
“That is why I say it’s important to have this Nigerian strategy.”
