(a) Draw an outline map of West Africa and on it, show and name (i) any three member countries of the ECOWAS (ii) the capital cities of the countries shown ...

(a) Outline map of West Africa showing three ECOWAS members and their capital cities

The sketch map below shows the outline of West Africa with three member countries of the ECOWAS shaded and named, and the capital city of each country marked with a dot and named.

The three member countries and their capital cities shown are:

(b) Three objectives of the ECOWAS

1. Promotion of trade and economic integration: to increase and liberalise trade between member states by removing tariffs and other trade barriers so as to build a common market in the sub-region.
2. Free movement of persons, goods, services and capital: to allow citizens, goods and services to move freely across member borders, including the right of residence and establishment.
3. Co-operation and joint development: to promote co-operation and development in economic, social and cultural activities, including the joint development of transport, communication and other infrastructure, and eventually the establishment of a common currency.

(c) Three factors that have limited the full attainment of these objectives

1. Language barrier and strong colonial ties: members are split into English-, French- and Portuguese-speaking blocs with differing colonial links, which hinder easy communication and full co-operation. Some Francophone states also maintain rival sub-regional bodies that work against ECOWAS.
2. Similarity of economic activities and currency problems: most members produce and export the same primary products, so they compete with rather than complement one another, keeping intra-regional trade low. The use of many different national currencies further complicates trade and payments.
3. Political instability and inability to meet obligations: frequent coups, border disputes and mutual mistrust, together with the failure of some members to pay their financial dues and the poor transport and communication network, weaken the pace of integration.