Abuja: The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, M©mounatou Ibrahima, has called on regional parliamentarians to sustain the tempo of ECOWAS economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA). She made the appeal in her closing speech at the end of the regional parliament’s 2026 First Extraordinary Session and Seminar on Friday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the lawmakers must tirelessly advocate for the ratification and effective implementation of the AfCFTA protocols. Ibrahima emphasized the need for MPs to monitor the harmonisation of national policies with regional commitments and to raise awareness among regional economic actors and citizens about the opportunities offered by AfCFTA.
She stated that MPs should be the voice that calls for accountability, oversees progress, and drives regional integration. Ibrahima also highlighted that parliamentary oversight should be used as a tool for promoting inclusive, transparent, and resilient integration. Despite the seminar being educational, she acknowledged that it also spotlighted differences of opinion and concerns.
While the AfCFTA agreement generates hope, it has not achieved unanimous support. Ibrahima mentioned that MPs understand the stakes and challenges at both national and regional levels to maximize the agreement’s benefits. Some MPs expressed concerns about AfCFTA’s implementation challenges, which she said are calls for action rather than rejections of integration.
The challenges cited include non-tariff barriers, legal framework harmonisation delays, infrastructural shortcomings, and potential exclusion risks for women, youth, and informal traders. Ibrahima stressed that AfCFTA’s implementation requires a step-by-step build with Member States and economic actors.
The extraordinary session allowed the parliament to review and adopt its 2026 programme of activities, focusing on Citizens’ Participation, Institutional Strengthening, Peace and Governance, and Facilitation. Ibrahima highlighted the adoption of the 2026 activity programme for ECOWAS female parliamentarians, underlining their role as a driving force of integration.
Despite challenges like political transitions, security threats, economic vulnerabilities, and climate emergencies, she warned against withdrawal, advocating that unity and integration are essential shields. The ECOWAS Parliament must amplify its voice, acting as a guardian of democracy and governance and a catalyst for economic and social integration in the region.