Lawmakers of the ECOWAS Parliament have expressed concern over persistent trade barriers hindering the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), warning that the region’s vision of a borderless economy remains far from reality.
During field visits and a town hall meeting in Cotonou as part of the Parliament’s ongoing delocalised committee sessions, legislators heard firsthand accounts from entrepreneurs and traders who described how bureaucracy, border bottlenecks and inconsistent customs procedures continue to undermine regional trade.
The engagements, held on July 29 and 30, involved members of the committees on Industry and Private Sector, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, Administration, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts.
At LES JUS TILLOU, a pineapple juice processing company in Benin Republic, the lawmakers were told that exporting products to Europe and Canada was easier than accessing neighbouring West African markets.
The company’s owner, Madam Guedegbe Marcos, said regional trade restrictions had prevented the business from reaching its full potential despite strong demand for its products.
Established with nearly 4 billion CFA francs in financing from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), the factory now requires an additional 1 billion CFA francs to expand production and improve packaging.
“Free movement of people, goods and services is just a phrase; it is far from the reality on the ground, ” Marcos said.
She said bureaucratic delays and border constraints continue to frustrate businesses despite ECOWAS’ long-standing commitment to regional integration.
The lawmakers pledged to engage national governments and relevant authorities across member states to address the challenges confronting businesses.
The delegation also toured the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ), a major industrial hub developed through a partnership between the Benin Republic government and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.
Located about 45 kilometres from the Port of Cotonou, the industrial park hosts more than 40 companies involved in cashew processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, soybean processing and electric vehicle manufacturing.
The lawmakers observed the integrated textile production chain at the GDIZ Textile Park, describing it as a model for boosting local value addition and industrialisation across West Africa.
At a town hall meeting in KP3, Cotonou, traders—particularly women entrepreneurs—raised concerns over harassment, corruption and unofficial charges at border posts.
They also called for improved access to finance, harmonised customs charges across ECOWAS member states and policies that would encourage informal businesses to transition into the formal economy.
Responding, members of the ECOWAS Parliament assured participants that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for action.
The lawmakers stressed that regional integration must deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens, insisting that the success of ECOWAS would ultimately be measured not by agreements signed by governments but by how easily traders and entrepreneurs can move goods and conduct business across borders.
They added that removing obstacles confronting MSMEs remains critical to tackling poverty, unemployment and economic inequality across the West African sub-region.
