Single currency hopes to unite West African nations

Implementation of the ECO was delayed several times, but recent agreement on African free trade area is seen as enough incentive for the region’s leaders to launch it next year after three failed attempts.

West African leaders are gathering in Ivory Coast to plan the rollout of a single shared currency.

It is part of a plan to strengthen regional ties and boost trade.

The move would mean eight former French colonies giving up their use of the CFA Franc currency.

Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris reports from Abidjan.