Abstract
This study investigates the dynamic relationship between governance quality, ethical leadership, and human development across the fifteen ECOWAS member states over the period 2000–2022. Drawing on institutional economics, principal-agent theory, and ethical leadership literature, the study constructs a Responsible Governance Index (RGI) from Worldwide Governance Indicators and an Ethical Leadership Index (ELI) from Ibrahim Index of African Governance sub-indices. Employing System Generalised Method of Moments estimation with robustness checks using Driscoll–Kraay and PCSE estimators, the findings reveal that governance quality significantly improves human development outcomes, while ethical leadership exerts both an independent and reinforcing effect on the governance-development nexus. The results further demonstrate substantial heterogeneity across resource-rich/resource-poor and Anglophone/Francophone economies. The study concludes that sustainable development in West Africa depends not only on institutional quality but also on ethical public leadership.