african leaders launched the largest free trade zone in the world covering 1300000000 people in 55 countries that followed hot on the heels of the pledge by economic by the economic community of west african states or eco asked to deliver a common currency as early as next year it's supposed to be called the eco and is intended to boost economic development among the 15 nations and allow the bloc to steer its own monetary policy the idea is not new but the single currency plan has failed multiple times in the past 30 years. so let's take a closer look here at the countries that are under the new plan for the new currency some already use the common money a common money it's called the sea far from frank which is pegged to the euro and has been criticized as a colonial left over supporters of the new eco say it will encourage integration and protect small countries from the global currency markets nigerian president mohamed called the currency quote an essential prerequisite to promote corporation and integration in nigeria nigeria whose oil dependent economy accounts for 2 thirds of the region's g.d.p. . would likely dominate a future monetary zone but critics say there isn't enough economic con

of french colonialism that restricts growth like majors dress has more now from abidjan ivory coast's economic capital. right now there are 15 countries or member countries of the economic community of west african states and a lot of them have not indicated whether they will join this single currency initiative however. the president of ivory coast who is the host of this summit said countries that are not ready or have not made up their mind can't join later if they want as to whether the currency will be are with existing friends the president said but is the plan right now and they will try to keep it that way remember this year is actually granted by the french and it's been on the person for more than half a century now they are trying gradually intent towards parnay shuttle independence from the french which a lot of economies and a lot of observers in africa say is good for them but what's not clear are not the french will retaliate somehow but so far the decision is made the west african leaders have decided that they will dump the c.f.a. and of course go with it echo and hoping that regional economies like. the rest will also join the bandwagon and then they will have better integration among

countries in the region right now there are 15 countries or member countries of the economic community of west african states and a lot of them have not indicated whether they will join this single currency initiative however. the president of ivory coast who is the host of this summit said they will go ahead to. out countries that are not radio have not made up their mind can join later if they want and setting up questions as to whether the currency would be at par with existing french c.f.a. the president said that is the plan right now and they will try to keep it that way . one of the things is one of the things or what things of that was i have been looking at is these african countries or west african countries francophone countries. come in and remember the c.f.a. is is actually going to buy the french and it's been an operation for more than half a century now they are trying gradually in turn towards financial independence from the french which a lot of economies and a lot of observers in africa say is good for them but it's not clear that or not the french will retaliate somehow but so far the dec

of those headed for europe is the minority are all very strong or offered minority. share used to have open borders for people from all over west africa. the country belongs to the economic community of west african states or eco as a free trade zone in which some states even share a common currency now the e.u. is deal with is severely restricting cross border trade and free movement of workers. the consequences of which can be seen clearly in places like the capitals bus station. new book our use of hardly sells any tickets to the north anymore since there's been a change the migrants who used to come from other countries are no longer here so. they are living in hiding. we met a 19 year old senegalese who wanted to go to algeria to work he asked us not to film his face. my older brother was in libya then they sent him back when you return the money situation is where everything is very difficult. back so i have to go now he said don't go to libya trial period. when we met the man from senegal he told us he had been hiding in the shack together with the goat for a year because the government has tightened the migration of those the bus companies no longer want to transport him so he found a different

will facilitate trade across borders right now trade among member countries of the economic community of west african states. of course the new currency facilitate that process and that they can sell more in the west african region in terms of production and produce the products that produce. roasted coffee beans are ready for processing at this plant on the ask. the factory is just one west african business looking to cash in on the region's effort to liberalize trade. the blood donor says having a single currency will be good for business. there are different currencies in the region transactions among mean the countries is difficult right now but having a single currency makes trading a loss easier any regional leaders have been pushing to integrate they kind of ease they believe they are no closer to having a single currency than at any time but there are obstacles. to the level of economic development differs from one country to another for example the economies of nigeria ghana i can't give walk so smaller countries will simply drag the more advanced economies just like europe we all produce raw mater