ECOWAS Parliament Marks 25 Years with Multi-Country Programme

ECOWAS Parliament Marks 25 Years with Multi-Country Programme

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has reached a significant milestone, celebrating 25 years of service to the people of West Africa.

To mark this anniversary, the institution has unveiled a year-long, multi-country programme designed to strengthen regional integration and bring the parliament closer to its citizens.

The announcement was made in Abuja by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Ibrahima, represented by the Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Research, Mr. Kabeer Garba.

Unlike a single ceremonial event, the programme spans seven member states, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Togo, and Sierra Leone, running from January to November 2026.

This approach underscores the parliament’s commitment to showcasing tangible impact and fostering citizen engagement across the region.

Established formally on November 16, 2000, in Bamako, Mali, the ECOWAS Parliament has played a pivotal role in advancing democratic consolidation, regional trade, women’s inclusion, and youth participation.

The anniversary was first acknowledged in November 2025 and commemorated during the parliament’s second ordinary session in Abuja in December 2025. Speaker Ibrahima emphasized that the parliament’s greatest strength lies in representing the people of West Africa, stressing the importance of public awareness about ECOWAS initiatives such as the free movement protocol and trade liberalisation scheme.

The commemorative programme is being executed in partnership with private sector organizations including Duchess N. Limited, CMD Tourism & Trade Enterprise, and Borderless Trade & Investment.

Victoria Akai, CEO of Duchess Naturals Limited, highlighted that the initiative will focus on regional trade, SME development, women’s economic empowerment, youth innovation, civic engagement, and cultural heritage.

Olori Boye-Ajayi of Borderless Trade and Investment outlined events such as business-to-business forums, pilot trade corridor initiatives, youth innovation competitions, and civic awareness campaigns.

A notable highlight will be the ECOWAS Smart Challenge, a regional innovation competition culminating in Accra, designed to spotlight young entrepreneurs.

Cultural festivals celebrating fashion, film, literature, music, and food will also form part of the programme, reinforcing West Africa’s shared identity and diversity.

The activities will conclude with a gala ceremony in Abuja in November, reflecting on the future of regional integration.

Financial institutions are also playing a role, with Providus Bank’s Head of Global Trade and Structured Finance, Mr. Biodun Ariyo, stressing the importance of stronger cross-border networks to enhance trade financing and economic opportunities.

Through this initiative, the ECOWAS Parliament is not only celebrating its 25-year legacy but also reaffirming its mission to deepen citizen engagement, strengthen regional trade, and promote inclusive growth across West Africa.