ABSTRACT
Do institutional design factors provide the basis for the successful implementation of a common market and currency for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)? The literature examined suggests that, although there are many obstacles to an economic and currency union in the sub-region, greater benefits towards realizing the goals of intraregional trade facilitated by a common currency could be obtained by creating the foundational institutional structures for these twin goals. Building on the broad integration literature, this chapter argues that addressing the cooperation and coordination problems in the region would not only strengthen individual economies, but also foster the region’s global competitive position.
