<P> The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was created by the Treaty of Lagos on May 28, 1975, in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria . ECOWAS was established to promote cooperation and integration in order to create an economic and monetary union for promoting economic growth and development in West Africa . </P> <P> Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea - Bissau Liberia Mali Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo Guinea--suspended from Community after 2008 coup d'état Niger--suspended from Community after 2009 auto - coup Ivory Coast - suspended from Community after 2010 elections </P>

The lagos treaty of may 28th 1975 led to the formation of the