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ECOWAS Lawmakers Push Urgent Reforms to Unlock AfCFTA Gains for Women, Youth Traders
ECOWAS Lawmakers Push Urgent Reforms to Unlock AfCFTA Gains for Women, Youth Traders
By: Michael Mike
Lawmakers of the ECOWAS Parliament have called for sweeping legal and policy reforms to remove longstanding barriers stifling women- and youth-led businesses, warning that West Africa risks missing out on the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if inclusive trade is not prioritised.
The call came at the close of deliberations preceding the Parliament’s First Extraordinary Session of 2026 in Abuja, where members debated how to reposition the sub-region to compete effectively under Africa’s single market framework.
With a regional population of over 400 million people—most of them women and young persons—parliamentarians stressed that AfCFTA must not become an elite-driven trade arrangement that sidelines the informal sector, which forms the backbone of West Africa’s economy.
Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Maimounatou Ibrahima, said the sub-region must urgently confront structural bottlenecks that limit the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those owned by women and youth.
She argued that AfCFTA presents an unprecedented opportunity for economic transformation, but only if governments and lawmakers enact reforms that simplify trade procedures, improve access to finance, and eliminate discriminatory practices at borders.
Earlier, Christopher Mensah-Yawson of the Trade Directorate at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission presented a paper titled “Women, Youth, and Informal Cross-border Traders: Unlocking Inclusive Growth Under AfCFTA.”
He revealed that women account for nearly three-quarters of informal cross-border traders in West Africa, while a significant proportion of young people under 25 depend on informal commerce for survival.
Despite their economic importance, he noted, these groups face multiple constraints, including complex customs documentation, limited access to credit, poor storage infrastructure, gender-insensitive border facilities, harassment, extortion and insecurity.
Mensah-Yawson described AfCFTA as a potential equaliser, pointing to mechanisms such as the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, simplified trade regimes and digital trade platforms designed to formalise and scale up small businesses.
He added that ECOWAS has introduced initiatives including an Informal Trade Regularisation Support Programme, a Trade and Gender Framework (2024–2030), and a Regional E-Commerce Strategy aimed at integrating vulnerable traders into formal markets.
However, lawmakers insisted that frameworks alone would not suffice without enforceable legislation and effective implementation at national levels.
Guy Marious, a parliamentarian from Senegal, urged stronger protection measures for local SMEs to shield them from being overwhelmed by larger continental competitors under AfCFTA.
Nigeria’s Blessing Onu called for deliberate integration of women and youth into trade policies, pressing financial institutions to expand affordable credit to emerging entrepreneurs.
Hon. Amodu Camara of The Gambia cautioned against allowing discussions to remain rhetorical, urging concrete timelines and measurable actions to support women- and youth-owned enterprises.
Other members echoed concerns that persistent non-tariff barriers, weak border management systems and inadequate infrastructure continue to undermine intra-regional trade.
The debate underscored a growing recognition within the ECOWAS Parliament that the success of AfCFTA in West Africa will depend largely on whether it can uplift the millions of small traders—particularly women and youth—who power the region’s informal economy.
As AfCFTA implementation gathers momentum, lawmakers signalled that legislative activism, regulatory reforms and targeted investments will be critical to ensuring that West Africa’s most vulnerable entrepreneurs are not left behind in Africa’s largest trade experiment.
ECOWAS Lawmakers Push Urgent Reforms to Unlock AfCFTA Gains for Women, Youth Traders
Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno
By: Michael Mike
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday commissioned newly completed nursing quarters and two mega primary schools in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to quality education in the state.
The projects were executed under Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration, which has continued to prioritize infrastructure development in the health and education sectors.
The newly inaugurated nursing quarters, located beside the State Specialist Hospital, consist of eight blocks of six flats each. The housing units are fully furnished and fitted with air-conditioning systems to improve living conditions for medical personnel.
In the education sector, Senator Tinubu also commissioned Aliyakeri and Abbaganaram Mega Primary Schools. Each facility features 48 classrooms designed to accommodate thousands of pupils, alongside ICT centres, modern sports facilities, e-learning platforms, and solar-powered systems to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady commended Governor Zulum’s leadership style, describing the projects as people-focused and impactful.
“What we have seen so far in Borno is quite encouraging. You have done very well, and I am truly honoured to be part of this commissioning,” she said.
Governor Zulum’s administration has reportedly completed 104 mega schools across the state, with additional projects ongoing across Borno’s 27 local government areas.
During the event, Senator Tinubu also flagged off a N200 million empowerment programme targeting 2,000 vulnerable women. Each beneficiary is expected to receive N100,000 alongside a sewing machine to support small-scale businesses and improve household income.
The First Lady praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with national efforts to strengthen community-based economic empowerment and food security programmes.
Under the distribution plan, 400 women were selected from Maiduguri metropolis, 200 from Jere Local Government Area, 100 from Biu, while 50 beneficiaries were drawn from each of the remaining 24 local government areas.
In addition, eight outstanding education workers, including teachers, head teachers, principals, TVET coordinators, and ministry staff, were presented with brand-new utility vehicles in recognition of their service.
In a related gesture, Governor Zulum also presented a house to a ministry watchman, Baba Modu Fandi, in appreciation of his dedication, while Senator Tinubu further supported him with an additional ₦2 million financial assistance.
Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno
Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Two men are receiving treatment at a hospital in Niger State after sustaining serious injuries in a violent altercation reportedly linked to a dispute at an illegal mining site.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred in a Fulani settlement near Iwa village in Gurara Local Government Area.
The sources said the matter was reported to the police on April 25 at about 1:30 p.m. after the victims were brought in by the Officer-in-Charge of Iwa Outstation.
According to the sources, the confrontation began on April 24 at about 9:00 a.m. when Jibril Yusuf, 22, allegedly went to the hut of Haruna Tukur, 35, and set him ablaze after a misunderstanding at an illegal mining site.
The sources further stated that Haruna Tukur, in retaliation, attacked Jibril Yusuf with a machete, severing his fingers during the violent exchange.
Both men were rushed to the General Hospital in Gawu Babangida, where they are currently responding to treatment.
Security operatives said investigations have commenced to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while the case remains under active review.
Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State
Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A heavy windstorm following a downpour has caused partial damage to structures at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, leaving two children injured.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred on April 25 at about 8:00 p.m. when strong winds brought down parts of the camp infrastructure during the rainfall.
The sources said police personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene to restore order and provide security, while some corps members were safely evacuated from affected areas.
According to the sources, no loss of life was recorded in the incident.
However, two girls identified as Fati Abdul, 12, and Adewumi Adesola, 11, sustained minor injuries during the incident. They were taken to a medical facility, treated and later discharged.
The sources added that normalcy has since been restored at the camp, while the area remains calm and under observation to ensure continued safety of occupants.
Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured
Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno
Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State
Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured
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