Held from May 25 to 28, 2021, in Lomé, Togo under the theme: "From the CFA franc to the ECO: which currency for which development in West Africa?" “, the general assembly of the common currency of ECOWAS, ECO gave rise to many ideas for the success of the process of the single currency.

The assessment document drafted under the direction of Prof. Kako Nubukpo aims to be a real program for the monetary emancipation of West Africa. It reviews, among other things, the history of a controversial currency, the banking and financial system of ECOWAS, monetary sovereignty and monetary freedom in the CFA zone, the institutional configuration for the independence of the central bank of ECOWAS and the prospects for the transition to eco for West African agriculture.
The document states that the eco should facilitate trade and financial exchanges, reduce the cost of financial transactions between countries and strengthen competition. All this can only stimulate economic vitality and therefore generate sustainable economic growth in the long term. This positive economic dynamism can only attract foreign investment, increase the economic competitiveness of its players in the global economy and this should have an effect on the development of countries and societies in the region.
To succeed in this transition to this common West African currency, the Lomé meeting outlined a therapy that it is up to the region's political decision-makers to apply. To begin with, the chances of success of the ongoing monetary integration process depend on taking care of five priorities which are urgently needed. These are those of employment for young people and women, sustainable and inclusive economic growth based on ambitious and realistic sectoral policies encouraging industrialization and digitalization, development of tangible or intangible infrastructure, development competitive agriculture reconciling resilient family farming and agribusiness and guaranteeing food sovereignty for West African populations.