ECOWAS MPs Push Border Reforms To Unlock MSME Growth Across West Africa
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
COTONOU, Benin Republic, West Africa’s ambition to build a thriving regional market for small businesses will remain out of reach unless cross-border trade becomes faster, cheaper and more predictable, ECOWAS lawmakers have warned.
At the end of a joint committee meeting in Cotonou, the ECOWAS Parliament called for harmonised customs procedures, import regulations, taxation policies and business registration requirements to create a more business-friendly environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Presenting the resolutions, Co-Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alhagie Darbo, urged member states to fully implement ECOWAS trade and investment protocols, dismantle non-tariff barriers, improve trade infrastructure and strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ease regional commerce.
The lawmakers also called for stronger legal and financial support for MSMEs, including easier access to affordable credit for women and youth-led businesses, faster implementation of the ECOWAS MSME Development Policy (2021-2030), and expanded export support at key border crossings.
They further tasked the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) with increasing financing for small businesses through innovative funding mechanisms, while pledging stronger parliamentary oversight to ensure member states implement agreed regional trade and industrial policies.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on SMEs, Hon. Pascal Agbodike, said Nigerian ECOWAS lawmakers would engage the National Assembly to drive implementation of the resolutions, including addressing concerns over border operations.
If implemented, the measures could significantly improve cross-border trade, strengthen regional value chains and boost the competitiveness of West African businesses.
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