Which of the following is not a problem facing Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)?

Analyze the question: We are looking for the option that is NOT a problem facing ECOWAS. Three options are real obstacles to integration, and one is not.

Concept: ECOWAS (founded 1975) aims to promote economic integration among West African states. Its major challenges include:

• Language barriers: the region is split into Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone countries, which hinders communication and trade.
• Production of similar commodities: member countries produce similar primary products (cocoa, groundnut, palm oil, crude oil), so they compete rather than trade with each other and have little to exchange.
• Poor transportation and communication: bad roads, weak rail links and limited telecoms make cross-border trade costly.
• Others: multiple currencies, political instability, border restrictions and trade barriers, and overdependence on foreign powers.

Step by step:

• A. Language barriers: a real problem.
• B. Inadequate supply of labour: West Africa has a large, growing and youthful population, with high unemployment and underemployment. Labour is abundant, not scarce, so this is not a problem facing ECOWAS.
• C. Production of the same commodities: a real problem, since it limits complementary trade.
• D. Poor transportation and communication: a real problem.

Answer: B. Inadequate supply of labour is not a problem facing ECOWAS. If anything, the region has a surplus of labour.

Exam tip: In "which is NOT" questions, first tick the options you know are true problems. Remember the ECOWAS challenge keywords: language, currency, similar products, poor infrastructure, politics. Whatever doesn't fit is your answer.