Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger launch new passport after leaving ECOWAS
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have launched a new shared passport after officially leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The passport, set to be available from January 29, is part of their new alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
The three countries, all led by military governments, say the passport will replace the ECOWAS passport. However, people can still use their ECOWAS passports until they expire. Citizens are encouraged to register for the new AES passport.
Why these countries have left ECOWAS
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger left ECOWAS in January 2024, accusing the regional group of not supporting them enough in their fight against terrorism.
They also claim ECOWAS was siding with France, their former colonial power. The withdrawal became official on January 29, 2025.
Since leaving, they have strengthened military and political ties with Russia and other countries. They are also working on forming a joint military force of 5,000 soldiers to fight insurgents in the Sahel region.
What it means for travellers
Before leaving ECOWAS, citizens of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger could travel visa-free to other West African countries. Now, it is not clear if they will need visas to visit ECOWAS nations.
For now, ECOWAS has advised its member states to continue recognising passports from these three countries until further notice. But in the future, travellers may face new border rules, longer checks, or higher fees.
People with family in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger may also face travel difficulties. Many West African families have relatives across borders, especially in areas like Nigeria-Niger and Ghana-Burkina Faso. If new visa rules come in, visiting loved ones may become harder and more expensive.
ECOWAS response
ECOWAS says it will keep its doors open if the three countries want to return. It has also given them a six-month grace period until July to reconsider.
In the meantime, ECOWAS has urged its members to continue allowing trade with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger under the usual agreements. The regional body says it wants to avoid confusion and economic harm during this transition.
However, leaving ECOWAS means these countries will no longer enjoy duty-free trade within the bloc. Since all three are landlocked, they rely on coastal nations like Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin for international trade. If new tariffs and border restrictions are introduced, goods could become more expensive, affecting businesses and consumers.
What happens next?
The launch of the new passport marks a major shift in West Africa. It signals that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are moving further away from ECOWAS and towards their own independent alliance.
While the full impact is still unclear, many experts believe this split could reshape travel, trade, and security in the region. For now, citizens will have to wait and see how governments handle the changes in the months ahead.
