KNOW US

The Alliance’s Founders vision aims at  strengthening the cooperation and promoting  sustainable economic and social development in the State members  comprising Benin Republic, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.

COPAZ and ZACOP refer to the same organization, with the only difference being based on language:

COPAZ stands for (Co-Prosperity Alliance Zone) and is used in English-speaking African countries.

ZACOP stands for (Zone d’Alliance de Co-Prospérité) and is used in French-speaking African countries.

Although the acronyms differ, COPAZ and ZACOP represent one unified organization** with a shared mission: to promote co-prosperity, peacebuilding, regional integration, and sustainable development in Africa.

Together, these nations work under the umbrella of COPAZ-ZACOP to build a peaceful, collaborative, and prosperous future for the region.

The conceived and established  Alliance is neither a rival nor a competitor to existing sub-regional institutions, but rather a complementary endeavor. The founders acknowledge the efforts already made by sub-regional organizations and seek to build upon and deepen the cooperation, leveraging these existing achievements.

The Alliance is based on several fundamental pillars:

ECONOMIC COOPERATION:

Strengthening the trade exchanges, investing in infrastructure, and creating a business-friendly environment.

SOCIAL INTEGRATION:

The Alliance State members shall work together to improve access to education, health, and basic social services for the populations.

SECURITY AND STABILITY:

The Alliance should strengthen the cooperation on security matters to ensure a stable and safe environment for its citizens.

Environment and sustainable development:

The Alliance’s Founders objective is to protect the Alliance environment and promote sustainable development for future generations.

The Benefits of this Alliance are numerous:

• A larger market for State members products and services
• Strengthened cooperation to address common challenges
• Faster and more sustainable economic and social development

By working together, Benin Republic, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo can create a strong and prosperous Sub-Regional Integration Alliance that complements and reinforces the efforts already made by existing sub-regional institutions.

To achieves this mission the State Members are  expected to  commit to:

• Strengthening the institutions and capacities
• Establishing financing mechanisms to support the the Alliance smooth operational and functional matters
• Promoting cooperation between the peoples and cultures.

Together, the State members can achieve this goal and create a brighter future for our populations.

It will also be recalled that the formation of the Alliance was inspired by the following trilateral factors, namely:

i).         A forward-looking and well-research document entitled “Concept Paer on Sub-regional Co-prosperity Alliance Zone” the intellectual framework prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Annex A) to guild the formation of the Alliance.

ii).        The provisions of an earlier Quadripatite Agreement which was signed on December 10, 1984 in Lagos, Nigeria by General Mathieu Kerekou of Benin, Captain Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, General Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and General Gnasingbe Eyadema of Togo (Annex B). The Quadripartite Agreement focusd on Treaty of Extradition, Criminal Investigation Cooperation Agreement, Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Custom, Trade and Immigration. Regular meeting at both official and Ministerial levels were held with Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe as the then Foreign Minister participating therein actively, and

iii)        The expressed concern for fast-tracking the process of integration of the sub-region is in response to the principles enunciated.