ECOWAS: Nigerian passport weakens as Mali, B. Faso, Niger withdraw

Following the immediate withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), there are now fewer countries that Nigerian passport holders can visit without visas.

This weakens the strength of the nation’s passport. Globally, the strength of a passport is determined by the number of countries its holders can travel without visas.

“ECOWAS under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its population,” a joint statement by the three countries read.

The three countries accused the regional body of failing to support their fight against ‘terrorism and insecurity,’ while imposing ‘illegal, illegitimate, inhumane and irresponsible sanctions.’

The Republic of Niger has begun enforcing restrictions on Nigerians traveling with the ECOWAS passport, barring entry for those without valid international passports.

Despite maintaining an open border with Nigeria, new immigration measures are being implemented at crossings such as Illela (Nigeria) and Konni (Niger). Cross-border traders and commuters now face difficulties as Nigerien authorities refuse to recognise the ECOWAS passport as a valid means of identification.

Stakeholders in the aviation and travel sector say Mali and Burkina Faso may follow suit and this would affect movement of Nigerian passport holders in and out of these African countries.

Recently, the Africa Visa Openness Index, an index which measures the extent to which each country in Africa is open to visitors from other African countries, released a report showing countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without visas and countries that offer visa-on-arrival.

According to the report, 17 countries that offer Nigerians entry without visas include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles and Sierra Leone.

If Mali and Burkina Faso implement new immigration measures against Nigeria as a result of their withdrawal from ECOWAS, this would mean that Nigeria passport holders can visit only 14 countries without visas, further diminishing the strength of the Nigerian passport.

Read also: Niger enforces travel restrictions, rejects ECOWAS Passport for Nigerian travellers

Seyi Adewale, chief executive officer of Mainstream Cargo Limited, said the withdrawal of these three countries from ECOWAS would impact Nigerian passport holders negatively.

Adewale said this is more instructive for tourism and related activities.

“To get Nigerians to not easily have access to its neighbours especially Niger is frustrating, knowing the relationship that has existed between us for decades,” he added.

Sindy Foster, principal managing partner, Avaero Capital Partners, told BusinessDay that although Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have withdrawn from ECOWAS and are planning to introduce Alliance of Sahel States (AES) passports, they have not yet announced restrictions on the free movement of ECOWAS citizens.

Foster said for now, Nigerians may still be able to travel to these countries without visas, stressing that ECOWAS has urged its members to continue to trade with and allow freedom of movement between these countries.

She however noted that if this changes in the future, travel restrictions would reduce regional mobility, weaken ECOWAS influence on global mobility negotiations, increase diplomatic strains and worsen relationships.

“It could lead to economic and trade disruptions, security challenges, and enhance political fragmentation of West Africa,” she said.

She hinted that as far as Nigeria passport’s attractiveness is concerned, the impact of the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is likely to be minimal as it will depend on broader diplomatic and economic factors.

“AES will no doubt seek to maintain a positive bilateral relationship with the dominant economy in West Africa and arguably the wider African region. As one door closes, diplomacy and negotiations may open another,” she added.

Obiora Madu, an export consultant and the director-general of the African Centre for Supply, had earlier told BusinessDay that Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso’s ECOWAS exit would generally have an effect on the nation and the subregion.

“For manufacturers and exporters, their exit will mean that the free flow will not be there. But we have to wait to see the kind of policies they roll out and the rules that they are going to put in place.

Madu noted that it would be pre-emptive to conclude the outcome of their exit until people see what policies they are going to roll out.