The ECOWAS Parliament has called for a stronger participation in regional trade across West Africa to enhance cross-border commerce and economic cooperation.
The Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Research at the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Kabeer Garba made the call in Abuja during a press briefing to announce private sector activities marking the Parliament’s 25th anniversary.
Mr. Garba, who represented the Speaker, Mémounatou Ibrahima, said that regional trade and innovation should translate into improved welfare for citizens across the subregion.
He said ” the Parliament was established to ensure that West Africans benefit from regional programmes, including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the free movement protocol.
“The Parliament is supposed to represent the people of the West African region. Our greatest strength as an ECOWAS institution is the fact that we represent the people. We are providing a voice for the people.”
According to him, “awareness remains a major challenge…Many traders and citizens across the region are still unaware of the economic opportunities available under regional integration policies.”
Also the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme allows traders to move goods across borders and establish businesses in other member states.
Mr. Garba stressed that greater participation by citizens and entrepreneurs is necessary for the region’s economic integration to succeed.
“The idea is that the Parliament should be able to conscientide the people and carry them along so that they take maximum advantage of these programmes that exist within ECOWAS,” he said.
Mr. Garba also noted that trade and innovation would play a key role in the anniversary activities.
“ECOWAS is not meaningful to the people if it does not boost their welfare. If we are talking about trade and innovation, that is very key because beyond explaining the programmes, we also have to think about how the people will fare and how to put food on their table,” he added.
In her remarks at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Duchess Naturals Limited, Dr. Victoria Akai, said that the private sector was partnering with the ECOWAS Parliament to translate regional policies into practical economic opportunities for businesses and citizens.
Akai said that the anniversary programme would focus on strengthening trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation across West Africa.
“As the private sector continues to expand its role across trade, innovation, and investment, ECOWAS institutions remain critical partners in shaping a more integrated and prosperous regional economy,” she said.
Akai said that the year-long programme would bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and youth across several member states.
According to her, “the programme will feature initiatives such as the ECOWAS Smart Challenge, regional trade forums, and community outreach campaigns aimed at strengthening economic cooperation in the subregion.”
“For us in the private sector, ECOWAS at 25 represents more than a celebration. It is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships that translate regional policy into real economic opportunity for citizens and businesses across West Africa,” she said.
In her remarks, the Managing Partner of Borderless Trade and Investment, Dr. Olori Boye-Ajayi, said the anniversary programme would serve as a platform to deepen collaboration among policymakers, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions across the region.
Boye-Ajayi said the initiative would bring together stakeholders from several ECOWAS countries to explore new opportunities for cross-border commerce.
“What we intend to do is to bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovators, youth, and civil society to deepen regional collaboration,” she said.
Boye-Ajayi noted that business-to-business forums and policy dialogues would be organised in cities including Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Accra, Lomé, Freetown, Abuja, and Lagos to facilitate trade and investment.
She explained that the activities would take place in several countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Togo, and Sierra Leone.
AP