Economic Community of West African States Communauté économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Ocidental The Economic Community of West African States is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. The ECOWAS also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc's member countries at times of political instability and unrest.