A positive stride towards enhancing integration, business, trade, and investment in Africa is being pursued by regional parliaments through collaborative action. The ECOWAS Parliament and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) recently demonstrated this partnership with a plan to initiate a framework promoting integration.
During a courtesy visit to the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, emphasized the need for legislative processes that improve the lives of African citizens. He highlighted the joint efforts of ECOWAS and EALA in creating an Africa with free movement and business. Despite challenges in some member countries, he expressed confidence in overcoming them through mediation and knowledge exchange with ECOWAS.
Dr. Ntakirutimana also used the opportunity to seek the support of the ECOWAS Parliament for the candidature of Dr. Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament, who is vying for the Speakership of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Ackson’s credentials as a female lawyer, academic, and politician make her a credible leader promoting women’s empowerment in Africa and beyond.
Speaker Sidie Mohamed Tunis of the ECOWAS Parliament stressed the importance of free movement for effective collaboration and unity among African nations. He expressed support for Ackson’s candidature, as it represents Africa’s endorsement of her candidacy.
Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, who received the delegation, viewed the visit as a significant step towards closer collaboration for the mutual interests of Africa. He emphasized that unity among African nations could tackle pressing issues such as climate change and human trafficking.
On another occasion, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) hosted both the EALA and ECOWAS Speakers. They discussed the importance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for capacity building to benefit ECOWAS member states and the entire African continent.
The collaborative visits are timely, as Africa needs to break down barriers to business among member states. With sub-Saharan Africa contributing only 3% to global trade, there is a pressing need to create a discernible framework for collaboration that promotes growth, trade, and investment on the continent.
Legislative actions by these bodies should aim to address trade and investment obstacles, protect African goods and services, and enhance their competitiveness in the global market. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement presents an ideal platform for these regional parliaments to foster African trade through substantial investment in the well-being of the people. Through joint efforts and effective lawmaking processes, African nations can unlock their immense economic potential and contribute significantly to global trade.
