Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account—equivalent to about $26 million—for its 2026 fiscal year, while also outlining plans to mark its 25th anniversary in November.
The announcement came on Tuesday via a statement by the Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, following the conclusion of the institution’s Second Extraordinary Session for 2025, held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
According to Ibrahima, the approved budget is not just a financial document but a declaration of intent.
“This is more than figures on paper—it’s the foundation for delivering our mandate to the people of West Africa,” she said.
The 2026 budget reflects a 5% increase from the previous year, up from 18,996,897 UA in 2025—an increment of UA 939,233. Ibrahima explained that 98.64% of the total budget (UA 19,368,394) will be funded through the ECOWAS Community Levy, with the remaining 1.36% (UA 257,636) expected from other sources.
The Community Levy, a statutory 0.5% charge on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from outside the region, remains the bloc’s primary source of funding. However, Ibrahima voiced concern over the failure of some member states to meet their obligations.
“There are still countries lagging in their payments. This jeopardizes the collective progress of our region. Moving forward, we will not hesitate to apply sanctions where necessary,” she warned.
Beyond budgetary matters, Ibrahima revealed that the Parliament is preparing to celebrate a major milestone—its 25th anniversary—in November. The commemoration will spotlight the institution’s role in promoting democracy, regional cooperation, and socioeconomic development over the past two and a half decades.
Describing the anniversary as a pivotal moment, she remarked: “It’s a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community.”
The Speaker also emphasized the Parliament’s intention to prioritize technology and governance reforms in its upcoming activities, including the implementation of key recommendations from its recent seminar on artificial intelligence.
As the ECOWAS Parliament enters its 25th year, it aims not only to celebrate its legacy but to refocus its agenda on inclusion, innovation, and accountability—especially in how public funds are managed and regional policies are executed.
