The ECOWAS Parliament has expressed concern that, despite the opportunities presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), levels of awareness, preparedness, and implementation capacity across member states remain very low in some countries.
This formed major talking points at the opening session of the first extraordinary session of the Parliament this Monday with the speaker identifying Key challenges hindering moves to align national laws and policies with AfCFTA obligations
The parliament called for cooperation from member states to mobilise the private sector and resources, address infrastructure and logistics constraints, and manage the short-term adjustment costs of liberalization.
The parliament noted that Members of the ECOWAS Parliament, in their legislative, representative, and oversight roles, have a critical responsibility to support AfCFTA implementation through informed policymaking, advocacy, and regional dialogue, blaming limited technical understanding of the AfCFTA’s operational instruments, opportunities, and risks as major constraint affecting effective
parliamentary engagement and oversight.
(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
