- She suggested that West African nations could jointly harness these opportunities to increase trade
- Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that genuine integration must extend beyond formal agreements
- she emphasised that regional cooperation should come first, given shared histories, and development priorities
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has urged countries within the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) to deepen cooperation, cautioning that weak internal collaboration could derail the region’s economic goals.
Eko Hot Blog reports that she spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during ECOWAS’ First Extraordinary Session and the inaugural 2026 Parliamentary Seminar.
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The gathering brought together lawmakers and key stakeholders to discuss ways of boosting trade within the bloc and advancing regional economic unity.
The forum, held under the theme “Deepening Regional Integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Opportunities and Challenges for Expanding Intra-Community Trade within the ECOWAS Region,” examined how member states can better leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
In her address, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that genuine integration must extend beyond formal agreements and communiqués. She stressed the importance of joint research, coordinated industrial growth, stronger market connections and collaborative product development as drivers of sustainable trade across West Africa.
The senator voiced concern that many countries in the sub-region appear more inclined to form partnerships outside Africa rather than strengthen ties within ECOWAS.
She questioned the level of shared innovation among member states, asking how much technology and research output is truly exchanged across borders in West Africa.
According to her, without building trust through active collaboration, the objectives of AfCFTA could face credibility challenges. She maintained that countries must have confidence in one another’s goods and services if intra-regional trade is to flourish.
Citing a recent collaboration between Ghana and Germany on vaccine production, she suggested that similar partnerships should be prioritised within the West African bloc.
While acknowledging the value of international alliances, she emphasised that regional cooperation should come first, given shared histories, challenges, and development priorities.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also called for open-access research systems, stronger links among universities and innovation hubs, and digital platforms that allow countries to easily share technological advancements.
She said such transparency would encourage trust and make it easier for businesses and institutions across ECOWAS states to benefit from each other’s innovations.
She further encouraged lawmakers to promote closer coordination among government ministries across the region, noting that institutional communication is essential for accountability and sustained cooperation.
Highlighting new economic frontiers, the senator pointed to growing global interest in the blue economy, particularly maritime and water-based industries.
She suggested that West African nations could jointly harness these opportunities to increase trade volumes and accelerate economic growth within the bloc.
Her remarks come at a time when regional leaders are intensifying discussions on how to expand intra-African trade, which remains relatively low despite the rollout of AfCFTA.
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