Ecowas new currency contest

You're referring to the ECOWAS Single Currency, also known as the Eco!

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been working towards the introduction of a single currency, the Eco, to replace the various national currencies of its member states. The goal is to promote economic integration, stability, and growth in the region.

In 2020, ECOWAS launched a contest to design the new currency, which was open to artists and designers from across the region. The contest aimed to select a design that would reflect the values and identity of the ECOWAS community.

Here are some key details about the contest:

  1. Theme: The theme of the contest was "Unity, Diversity, and Prosperity."
  2. Design requirements: The design had to feature the ECOWAS logo, the name of the currency (Eco), and the denomination of the note or coin.
  3. Eligibility: The contest was open to artists and designers from ECOWAS member states, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
  4. Judging criteria: The designs were judged based on their creativity, originality, and ability to reflect the theme and values of ECOWAS.
  5. Prizes: The winners received cash prizes and the opportunity to have their designs featured on the new currency.

The contest received over 1,000 entries from across the region, and the winners were announced in December 2020. The designs will be used on the new Eco currency, which is expected to be introduced in 2027.

Here are some of the winning designs:

The introduction of the Eco currency is expected to promote economic integration and stability in the region, making it easier for people to trade and conduct business across borders.