ECOWAS to Mobilise $2.5bn Annually for 260,000-Man Counter-Terrorism Force

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled plans to establish a 260,000-strong rapid deployment counter-terrorism brigade, with an estimated annual budget of $2.5 billion.

The announcement was made by the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Touray, during the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration.”

Touray, represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, said the funds would be used to activate the force, strengthen logistics, and support frontline nations battling terrorism.

He noted that the Sahel region now accounts for more than half of global terrorism deaths, making it the epicentre of extremist violence. According to him, the evolving security threats demand urgent and collective continental action.

“On the directive of our Heads of State, ECOWAS is working to activate this 260,000-man rapid response force while also sustaining our 5,000-man brigade under the African Peace and Security Architecture. This requires significant funding, which is why Ministers of Finance and Defence will meet in Abuja this Friday to finalise modalities for raising $2.5bn annually,” Musah explained.

He further urged bilateral and multilateral partners to complement the regional initiative, calling on the United Nations to fulfil its pledge under Resolution 2719 (2023) to finance 75% of African-led peace operations.

Wider Security Framework

Touray also revealed that ECOWAS is advancing its integrated maritime security strategy, which includes three regional centres, an international coordination hub in Abuja, and new measures to counter transnational organised crime.

Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, speaking at the summit, warned that Africa is now facing over 1,000 active insurgent groups. He stressed the need for African states to develop homegrown defence industries, strengthen intelligence-sharing, and modernise security technologies.

“Africa’s security cannot be outsourced. We must design our own architecture, ensure interoperability, and invest in indigenous defence capabilities,” Gambari said.

Nigeria’s Position

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing Africa. While describing the continent as being “on the edge of unprecedented opportunity” due to its youthful population and resources, he warned that terrorism, organised crime, piracy, cyber threats, and climate-driven conflicts continue to undermine progress.

Musa emphasised the need for unity, shared intelligence, cyber defence, AI-driven technologies, and indigenous innovation in modern warfare.

“The enemy is within. We must modernise our armed forces and embrace collaboration to protect Africa’s people. Only then can our militaries remain symbols of stability, professionalism, and pride,” he said.