ECOWAS Parliament seeks stronger regional trade participation.

The ECOWAS Parliament has called for stronger participation in regional trade and economic activities across West Africa, urging citizens, entrepreneurs, and businesses to make greater use of the opportunities created under existing regional integration frameworks.

The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja ahead of activities marking the parliament’s 25th anniversary. Officials highlighted the importance of increased collaboration between governments, businesses, and citizens to strengthen economic ties among member states and drive sustainable growth across the subregion.

Speaking during the event, the Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Research at the ECOWAS Parliament, Kabeer Garba, who represented the Speaker, Mémounatou Ibrahima, emphasized that regional trade and innovation must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of people across West Africa. He noted that the parliament was created to represent the interests of citizens and to ensure that regional programmes and policies ultimately benefit the wider population.

Garba explained that one of the key responsibilities of the parliament is to serve as a platform for amplifying the voices of people in the region and ensuring that their needs and concerns are reflected in policy decisions. According to him, the institution’s strength lies in its ability to represent citizens and encourage inclusive participation in the integration process.

He pointed out that several initiatives have already been established to facilitate cross-border trade and economic cooperation among member states. Among these is the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, a framework designed to remove barriers to trade within the region by allowing goods produced in member countries to move more freely across borders.

Garba also referenced the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, which enables citizens of member states to travel, reside, and establish businesses within the region without facing restrictive immigration barriers. According to him, these policies were designed to stimulate economic activity, strengthen regional cooperation, and create opportunities for entrepreneurs and traders.

Despite the existence of these frameworks, he noted that a significant challenge remains the lack of awareness among many citizens and small-scale traders about the benefits available through regional integration programmes. Garba stressed that many people in the subregion are yet to fully understand how such policies can support their businesses and improve their economic prospects.

He said the parliament is working to increase awareness and encourage greater participation so that individuals and businesses can take full advantage of the opportunities available within the regional economic community. He added that the success of economic integration in West Africa largely depends on how actively citizens and entrepreneurs engage with these initiatives.

According to him, the upcoming anniversary activities will focus heavily on promoting trade, innovation, and economic cooperation across member states. The programmes are expected to highlight the importance of regional markets and explore ways to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Duchess Naturals Limited, Victoria Akai, said the private sector is increasingly partnering with regional institutions to ensure that policies developed at the regional level translate into practical economic opportunities for businesses and communities.

Akai noted that private sector involvement is essential for driving economic transformation across West Africa. She explained that businesses play a critical role in turning integration policies into real investments, job creation, and expanded markets for local products.

She further revealed that activities marking the parliament’s 25th anniversary would involve a series of engagements aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship, trade, and innovation within the region. These programmes are expected to bring together policymakers, business leaders, innovators, and young entrepreneurs from various ECOWAS member states.

According to her, the year-long initiative will serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, allowing stakeholders to explore strategies for building a more integrated and prosperous West African economy.

Both speakers emphasized that regional integration can only achieve its full potential if citizens, businesses, and governments actively participate in the process. They stressed that stronger collaboration and increased awareness will be key to unlocking the economic opportunities available within the ECOWAS framework and ensuring that the benefits of regional cooperation are felt by people across the subregion.