Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Impose 0.5% Levy on Imported Goods to Fund New Alliance

March 31, 2025 – In a significant economic development, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have jointly announced the implementation of a 0.5% levy on imported goods. This measure aims to finance the activities of their newly formed three-state union, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), following their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The levy, agreed upon on March 28, 2025, takes immediate effect and applies to all goods imported from outside the three countries, excluding humanitarian aid and diplomatic shipments. Customs authorities in each nation will collect the funds, which will be deposited into a special AES account. The collected revenue is intended to support the operations and projects of the AES, although specific allocation details have not been disclosed.

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This move signifies a further step in the trio’s efforts to assert economic independence and strengthen regional cooperation within the AES framework. The alliance, which began as a security pact in 2023, has evolved into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.

The introduction of the import levy effectively disrupts the free trade agreements that have been a cornerstone of ECOWAS for decades. It highlights the growing rift between the Sahel states and influential democracies like Nigeria and Ghana. The three countries had previously accused ECOWAS of failing to assist in their fight against Islamist insurgents, leading to their exit from the bloc.

Economic analysts warn that this levy could have significant implications for regional trade, potentially leading to increased costs for imported goods and affecting businesses operating within these countries. The full impact on trade dynamics and regional integration remains to be seen as the situation develops.

As the AES moves forward with this new policy, stakeholders across the region will be closely monitoring its effects on economic stability and cooperation within West Africa