Challenges facing the AES in regional trade and mobility

how the AES countries navigate trade and movement challenges

The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was framed as a move toward greater sovereignty. Yet, it has introduced significant hurdles for both people and goods moving within the region. While ECOWAS borders present their own set of administrative bottlenecks, the three nations of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) continue to face unresolved internal and external mobility issues.

For citizens of the AES, essential travel documents—such as passports, national ID cards and driver’s licenses—now face scrutiny at borders, even when traveling between AES member states. Almou Yacouba, Secretary-General of the Niger Road Transport Union, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Sahelian travelers trying to re-enter the ECOWAS zone.

“We’re running into real difficulties with the international vehicle registration and the international driver’s permit. The ECOWAS insurance requirement is particularly frustrating within the AES space. Even when traveling to Côte d’Ivoire, our national ID cards are questioned because they show a manufacturing date, but no expiration date. Before, ECOWAS ID cards allowed free movement across the region. Now, without that status, travelers face repeated demands at checkpoints. It’s creating serious travel document issues for our people.”

bureaucratic and financial barriers at borders

Despite policy efforts by AES governments to streamline cross-border movement, transporters and travelers still report arbitrary inspections and demands for bribes at various border points. Chaibou Tchiombiano, Secretary-General of the Niger Importers and Exporters Association, underscores the gap between policy and practice.

“We should have true freedom of movement for people and goods. Unfortunately, these challenges persist even within the AES.”

“What we urgently need,” he continues, “is a unified AES passport that would allow seamless travel across all member states.”

The lack of standardized travel documents remains a major obstacle for citizens of the three Sahelian nations. In response, Niamey hosted a ministerial meeting in December 2025, where transport ministers from the AES countries convened to address the free movement of people and goods within the alliance, following their departure from ECOWAS.

key takeaways for travelers and businesses

• Travel documents issued by AES countries may not be recognized outside the region without additional verification.
• ECOWAS insurance certificates, vehicle registration and driver’s permits are frequently challenged at borders.
• Proposals for a unified AES passport are under discussion to reduce cross-border barriers.
• Administrative and financial demands at borders continue to hinder regional trade and mobility.