Flag of ECOWAS

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Proportion	2:3
Adopted	1975

The Flag of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is the flag of ECOWAS, a political and economic union of twelve countries in West Africa. ^[1] The flag was adopted in 1975. ^[2]

Design

The flag features a white background with the ECOWAS emblem centered on it. The emblem consists of a stylized depiction of a drum and a circular motif, along with the inscriptions “ECOWAS” at the bottom and “CEDEAO” (the French acronym) at the top, The flag’s proportion is typically 2:3. ^[2] In 2024, the military governments of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali jointly announced their withdrawal from the bloc, despite this, they're still highlighted on the flag and seal of the union.

Symbolism

Source: ^[2]

• Drum: Symbolizes the rich cultural heritage and unity of West African countries.
• Circular Motif: Represents unity and integration among member states.
• White Background: Signifies peace and stability within the region.
• Green and Brown Colors: Green symbolizes agriculture and natural wealth; brown represents the earth and the common heritage.

References

1. "Flag Of Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) - TheFlags.org". theflags.org. 2024-01-18. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
2. "ECOWAS: Definition, Flag, and List of Members". www.1001flags.com. Retrieved 2025-06-07.