ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance (original) (raw)
The First Zonal Meeting of 2026 of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme was held from April 13 to 16, 2026, in Lagos, Federal Republic (…)
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M. Habib DIA, Chairman of Council of Bureaux
After a decade of individual management of the acquired sovereignties in the 60s, the African Heads of State and Government, decided to group together by region to perpetuate the gains and open other avenues for the development of their (…) Read more »
M. Dodzih KWASI, Permanent General Secretary, Council of Bureaux
Welcome Dear subscribers, The ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme was established by Protocol A/P1/5/82 signed by the Head of States and Governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on 29th may 1982 in Cotonou, People’s Republic of Benin. The main objective of the Scheme is to ensure prompt and fair compensation to the victims of road accidents for the damages caused them by non residing motorists (…) Read more »
M. Habib DIA, Chairman of Council of Bureaux
After a decade of individual management of the acquired sovereignties in the 60s, the African Heads of State and Government, decided to group together by region to perpetuate the gains and open other avenues for the development of their respective countries.
Thus, several community groupings have come to life including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Head of States and Governments, concerned about the roads users safety, have set up a system, an automatic coverage and settlement of the claims in order to encourage
M. Dodzih KWASI, Permanent General Secretary, Council of Bureaux
Welcome Dear subscribers,
The ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme was established by Protocol A/P1/5/82 signed by the Head of States and Governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on 29th may 1982 in Cotonou, People’s Republic of Benin.
The main objective of the Scheme is to ensure prompt and fair compensation to the victims of road accidents for the damages caused them by non residing motorists travelling from other ECOWAS member States to their country. In Europe, Green Card is a similar scheme implemented in 1953.
Permanent General Secretariat
The Permanent General Secretariat is created by decision C/DEC/7/2/94 of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on July 28th 1994
Cis in Lomé, Togolese capital :
- 128, Boulevard du 13 Janvier - BIDC Building, 4th stage, BOAD Side | 01 BP 2258
- LOMÉ - TOGO
- (+228) 22 22 39 55
- (+228) 22 22 39 54
- [email protected]
[email protected]
Objectives
To facilitate free movement for international motorists within the community
To enable international carriers to comply with motor vehicles insurance requirements in force in the community member countries,
To enhance the development of trade and tourism exchanges among states
To establish a common scheme for the settlement of claims arising from free movement of goods and persons within ECOWAS ;
Benefits
The Brown Card provides the motorist complete guarantee for a prompt, fair and immediate compensation for any accident he may cause outside his habitual residence country.
The cardholder is treated exactly as if the basic insurance policy was underwritten with a company located in the country visited or through which it transits.
Since the Brown Card is recognized by the government authorities, the motorist is exempted from any other formality relating to the guarantee against the risks of civil liability.
MEMBER STATES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the role of everyone for easy operation of the system ?
Brown Card Scheme is an insurance project. As such, it is a social device designed and introduced to facilitate and give financial guarantees to the movement of motorists and their vehicles across our sub-region. The system is non-profit. For it to function easily, all components of the population are urged to perform a number of specific functions. Firstly, the insurers authorized to carry out motor insurance business must (…)
What must i do when my vehicle causes an accident in another ECOWAS member State ?
You should keep in mind that your ECOWAS Brown Card covers you as soon as you cross the borders of your territory of habitual residence. Therefore, when an accident occurs, here are the steps to take to fully benefit from the advantages that your card gives you : Report the accident immediately to the nearest police station In the event that another vehicle is involved or if there is an injured person, you will need to note : The (…)
Where will I obtain my Brown Card ?
The ECOWAS Brown Card is issued on the basis of the original civil liability guarantee. Thus, to obtain an ECOWAS Brown Card, you must return to the Company from which your usual insurance policy was taken out. Only this insurance company is authorized to issue you the ECOWAS Brown Card.
How much will my Brown Card cost ?
The question of how much you will pay for your Brown Card is a matter for the National Bureau of your country to decide.
But, Will obtain comprehensive cover with my Brown Card ?
The main concern of the Carte Brune at present is to provide compensation for material damage, personal injury and death caused mainly to third parties. This is explained by the fact that the mandatory guarantee against the risks of the civil liability constitutes the minimum of the requirements required by the legislations of the countries of the sub-region. Any insured wishing to obtain an "all risks" guarantee will have to (…)