Member states of the Economic Community of West African states, (ECOWAS) have fixed 2027 for full implementation of a single currency, Eco.

They have been urged to work towards meeting the 11 convergence criteria including an end of year single inflation and fiscal deficit of not more than 4%of Gross Domestic Product for qualification. So far, only six out of the 16 member states have rectified the agreement.

Addressing a news conference to climax the ordinary summit of ECOWAS at the Kempinski Hotel, President of the Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou, said the revised date for the implementation of the eco is as a result of the covid-19 pandemic on the economies of member states.

 “We also have in terms of the single currency a new road map and a new convergence part that covered the period 22, 26 and 27^th period, being the launching of the Eco. So that’s also a very big decision because we recall due to the Covid-19, the heads of state decided to suspend the implementation convention of part in 2020 and 2021. And they also decided that the ministerial committee should look at the new road map...the new convergence spark adopted by the heads of the state and government,” he said.

He also reiterated member states commitment to explore all avenues to procure the Covid-19 vaccines for the general population.

“Despite that, vaccines availability is still a challenge. So the recent decision of the G7 on June 13 in Great Britain where they promised and decided to give one billion dose of vaccines to developing countries is something that we strongly hope, and it’s something that will help in the supply of vaccines in our region,” he said.

Other issues adopted include institutional reform and security on the continent.