The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a group of countries that was founded in 1975 to promote economic integration. A common currency has existed from 1961 to present (used by Benin, Senegal, Burkina-Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Togo, and Niger). The currency was originally issued for the French West Africa territories, and carried on with the formation of the WAS in 1975. Five member countries have also formed the West African Monetary Zone and plan to introduce a common currency -- the Eco -- by 2015. Please see the link below for a list of current (and suspended) members of WAS.
West African States on Wikipedia
