The ECOWAS Parliament has called for greater participation in regional trade across West Africa, encouraging businesses and citizens to make better use of existing frameworks designed to promote cross-border commerce and economic cooperation.
The call was made on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing to unveil private sector activities marking the Parliament’s 25th anniversary.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Research at the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Kabeer Garba, who represented the Speaker, Mémounatou Ibrahima, said regional trade and innovation must lead to tangible improvements in the welfare of citizens across the subregion.
Garba explained that the Parliament was created to ensure that people across West Africa benefit from regional programmes such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the free movement protocol.
He stressed that the institution exists to represent the voices and interests of citizens in the region.
According to him, one of the biggest challenges is the low level of awareness among traders and citizens about the opportunities available through regional integration policies.
Garba noted that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme allows traders to move goods across borders and establish businesses in other member states. However, he said greater participation from entrepreneurs and citizens is needed for the programme to achieve its full potential.
He added that beyond explaining regional policies, there must be a clear focus on how such initiatives can improve livelihoods and put food on the tables of ordinary citizens.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Chief Executive Officer of Duchess Naturals Limited, Dr. Victoria Akai, said the private sector was partnering with the ECOWAS Parliament to help transform regional policies into practical economic opportunities.
Akai explained that the anniversary programme would focus on strengthening trade, entrepreneurship and innovation across West Africa.
She noted that the year-long celebration would bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovators and young people from several member states.
According to her, the programme will include initiatives such as the ECOWAS Smart Challenge, regional trade forums and community outreach campaigns aimed at strengthening economic cooperation across the subregion.
Akai added that the anniversary represents more than just a celebration, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships that can translate regional policies into real economic opportunities for businesses and citizens.
In her remarks, the Managing Partner of Borderless Trade and Investment, Dr. Olori Boye-Ajayi, said the programme would also serve as a platform to deepen collaboration among policymakers, entrepreneurs and financial institutions in the region.
She explained that business forums and policy discussions would be organised in several cities, including Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Accra, Lomé, Freetown, Abuja and Lagos, to encourage trade and investment.
According to her, the activities will take place across multiple ECOWAS member states such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Togo and Sierra Leone.
Also speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance at Providus Bank, Dr. Biodun Ariyo, said financial institutions have an important role to play in supporting regional trade.
He noted that banks are partnering with regional organisations to expand trade financing and support cross-border transactions.
Ariyo explained that stronger networking platforms are necessary to connect businesses across the region and facilitate the exchange of goods, services and ideas.
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He added that such partnerships would help deepen financial access for businesses operating within West Africa.
The ECOWAS Parliament was created to represent the citizens of West Africa in the regional integration process. The protocol establishing the Parliament was signed on August 6, 1994, while its first legislature was inaugurated on November 16, 2000, in Bamako, Mali.
The anniversary activities are expected to run throughout the year and will conclude with a closing ceremony in Abuja in November 2026, where policymakers, entrepreneurs and regional stakeholders will review progress made in West Africa’s economic integration.
