The commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) just launched a regional contest for a name and icon for the future single currency within the community.

Open to "citizens of all the member states of the organization, regardless of their place of residence, and to moral entities legally established in a member state", this contest will end on November 20, 2018.

The best three names and icons will be rewarded with checks from $5,000 to $10,000. According to the organization, a special interest should be paid by participants to key values in the community, Vision 2020 particularly.

This call for submissions falls within the framework of the implementation of the ECOWAS Monetary Cooperation programme which plans for creation of a common currency for the 350 million residents of the community in 2020.

It also follows instructions given during the 53^rd session of the conference of heads of state and government held in Lome last July.

Information related to the contest, notably to the entry requirements and selection criteria are available here.

Octave A. Bruce