The ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) has issued a resounding call for the dismantling of barriers hindering women’s full participation in regional and global trade, linking economic empowerment to political readiness and regional security.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the President of the ECOFEPA Network at an Executive Masterclass in Accra, the First Vice President, Hon. Zainab Gimba, emphasized that women must be recognized not just as participants, but as primary drivers of trade, investment, and innovation in West Africa. The event was held during the 2026 Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament and the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar, under the theme: “Climate Change as a driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Growing Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
Hon. Gimba expressed profound appreciation to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Hadja Memouna Tui Braheema, for her unwavering commitment to ensuring ECOFEPA assumes its rightful place as a leading champion of women and youth inclusion in politics. She also extended sincere gratitude to the Honorable Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection of Ghana for her invaluable support in mobilizing delegates and for her presence at the gathering.
The First Vice President highlighted the significant economic potential of the ECOWAS region, driven by its youth population, natural resources, and growing digital economy. However, she noted that despite these potentials, many women continue to face significant barriers, including limited access to finance, market information, technology, and inadequate representation in decision-making processes. She stressed that these challenges are particularly acute for women seeking to transition from small-scale businesses into formal, competitive, and export-oriented enterprises.
Central to the discourse was the concept of “political readiness.” Hon. Gimba argued that economic leadership and political empowerment are deeply interconnected. She posited that a woman who runs a successful enterprise develops not only income but also the confidence, networks, and leadership experience necessary to influence policies that determine whether businesses can grow and trade can flourish. “We need women who are not only prepared to enter the marketplace but also prepared to sit at the tables where decisions about trade, investment, finance, and regional integration are made,” she stated.
To unlock the export opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Hon. Gimba urged women entrepreneurs to master the technicalities of international commerce, including standards, certification, packaging, branding, logistics, and digital commerce. She explained that the Masterclass was specifically designed to bridge this knowledge gap, equipping participants to be better prepared and positioned to take their products and services into regional and international markets.
The Vice President issued a call to action to governments, financial institutions, and development partners to support women through effective policies, accessible financing, improved trade infrastructure, and simplified procedures. She emphasized that investing in women goes beyond gender equality, serving as a critical economic development and political strategy for a prosperous future. “Let us transform knowledge into action, opportunities into enterprises, enterprise into jobs, and economic participation into lasting prosperity,” she urged.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a collective commitment to building an ECOWAS region where women are empowered, visible, and competitive. Hon. Gimba encouraged delegates to apply the knowledge and connections gained to strengthen their businesses and communities, reiterating the slogan of the day: “democratize prosperity and opportunities for all citizens.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/EcowasNewsOnline.com
