A New Era of Cooperation: Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Impose Import Levy

In a bold move, the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have introduced a 0.5% levy on imported goods to finance their emerging three-state union. This decision, announced in a joint statement, takes immediate effect and applies to all goods imported from outside the three nations, excluding humanitarian aid ¹.

The revenue generated from this levy will support the activities of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc that started as a security pact in 2023 and has since expanded its ambitions toward economic integration. This move marks a significant step towards financial and political independence for the Sahel trio.

A Departure from ECOWAS

The introduction of the import levy comes on the heels of the three countries’ departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had accused ECOWAS of failing to aid them in their fight against Islamist insurgents, leading to their decision to exit the bloc despite economic sanctions imposed to pressure them to restore civilian rule.

A Growing Divide

This move formally disrupts free trade within the broader West African region and highlights the deepening divide between the junta-led Sahel nations and democracies such as Nigeria and Ghana. The persistent violence in the region, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, has fueled widespread disillusionment with democratic governance.

A Path Forward

As the Sahel trio advances with plans for biometric passports and deeper military and economic ties, the newly introduced import levy marks a crucial step in their bid for financial and political independence. While the road ahead is uncertain, one thing is clear: the fate of the Sahel region hangs in the balance.