The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it will require about $2.61 billion to fully activate its planned 5,000-member Standby Force.

Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, made the disclosure at a joint meeting of Defence and Finance Ministers held on Friday in Abuja. The session was convened to map out funding strategies for the regional force, which is expected to confront terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government across West Africa.

Touray stressed that terrorist groups have increasingly turned the region into a major hub of violent extremism, citing the 2025 Global Terrorism Index which now places Africa ahead of the Middle East as the worst-hit area. He warned that unchecked insecurity was undermining trade, investment, and free movement within the bloc.

“The Sahel remains the most affected, with terrorist operations fuelled by political instability, weak governance, and conflict,” he said, while noting that the Standby Force was a core part of ECOWAS’s counter-terrorism strategy alongside intelligence-sharing, training, and humanitarian support.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Abubakar, described the initiative as a crucial step toward safeguarding sovereignty and stability in the region. He called for reliable and transparent funding, suggesting measures such as GDP-linked contributions, adjustments to the ECOWAS Community Levy, and partnerships with development financiers.

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Defence Minister, retired Colonel Brima Massaquoi, added that the security plan must be backed by innovative financing and strong political will. He urged member states to explore public-private partnerships, create regional security funds, and invest in intelligence infrastructure and training.

The ECOWAS Standby Force, when established, is expected to be rapidly deployable to hotspots, restoring order in member states facing terrorism, coups, or other threats to peace.