The ECOWAS Parliament began its first extraordinary session of 2026 on February 23 in Abuja, Nigeria. The event also included a high-level seminar focused on regional integration and the growth of intra-community trade.
Ms Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, President of the ECOWAS Parliament, outlined the main priorities for the year. She highlighted economic integration, democratic consolidation, and strengthened peace and security as key to sustainable prosperity in West Africa.
A central feature of the opening was a seminar titled “Deepening regional integration through the AfCFTA: opportunities and challenges for the expansion of intra-community trade.” The President noted that although West Africa’s average growth rate has been about 5% over the past decade, intra-ECOWAS trade remains below 10%. She called for more effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a way to support industrialization, value addition, and inclusive growth.
She also welcomed the lifting of sanctions against Guinea following its December 2025 presidential election. She reaffirmed support for credible elections scheduled this year in Cape Verde, The Gambia, and Benin. On security issues, she emphasized that “regional solidarity in the face of terrorism and transnational organized crime is a collective obligation requiring strengthened cooperation.”
Other speakers included Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Barau Jibrin, Vice-President of the Nigerian Senate. They stressed implementing ECOWAS trade protocols, harmonizing standards, establishing digital trade monitoring systems, and protecting small and medium-sized businesses to promote sustainable economic development.
Representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission was Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. He said: “Democracy remains the foundation of regional integration and the primary condition for sustainable development,” warning that any setbacks could harm economic progress and worsen poverty.
Dr. Sylla described ECOWAS as one of Africa’s most advanced models for regional integration with potential to become a global production hub. He urged prioritizing local production and value creation beyond simple commerce.
He added: “No member state can fully realize its economic and development potential without deeper regional integration, strengthened collaboration, and policy harmonization.” He called on stakeholders to act decisively to ensure shared prosperity.
Looking ahead at its Annual Work Plan for 2026, Parliament will focus on democratic governance; peace and security; and promoting women’s leadership through initiatives like the ECOWAS Association of Women Parliamentarians.
ECOWAS seeks to improve cooperation among member states by harmonizing policies in sectors such as trade, transport, agriculture, infrastructure development, legal frameworks (including common external tariffs), social programs across twelve countries in West Africa—and aims to extend these efforts further throughout the region (source). Since 2022 it has operated a multilingual website to increase accessibility (source). The Commission is led by a president supported by vice presidents and commissioners (source).