Through membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries have achieved

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what member countries have gained from belonging to ECOWAS, a regional economic integration body formed in 1975 (the Treaty of Lagos).

Step 2: Explain the concept ECOWAS aims to promote economic integration among West African states. The main economic benefits of such a grouping are:

• Free movement of goods, services, labour and capital between members
• Reduced or removed trade barriers, such as tariffs
• A larger combined market, so producers can benefit from economies of scale
• Cooperation in trade, transport, energy and agriculture

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. A large market for their products. This is correct. Removing trade barriers lets producers in one member country sell to the whole region, which has hundreds of millions of people.
• B. Emancipation of Africa. This is a political goal associated with bodies like the OAU/AU and pan-Africanism, not a direct economic achievement of ECOWAS.
• C. Full employment of resources. This is not achieved. Unemployment and underutilised resources still exist in the region.
• D. Higher transportation cost. This is the opposite of the aim. Integration seeks to lower costs.
• E. Military superiority over other African countries. ECOWAS is not about military dominance. Even ECOMOG, its peacekeeping force, is for regional security, not superiority.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. a large market for their products.

Tip: In questions on economic integration (ECOWAS, EU, etc.), look for the answer that mentions trade, market size or economies of scale. Options about politics, military power or "full" outcomes are usually distractors.