By Gloria Ikibah
The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for urgent policy reforms to strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), describing them as the backbone of the region’s economy and a critical driver of job creation, innovation and regional integration.
The call was made at the opening of the Joint Committee meeting on Industry and Private Sector, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, Administration, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts on Monday, in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. 
The meeting is focused on developing strategies to empower MSMEs as formal drivers of regional value chains.
Speaking on behalf of the joint committees, Co-Chairperson Hon. Alhagie Darbo said MSMEs play a central role in the economic life of West Africa but continue to face major challenges because many operate outside the formal sector.
He said: “Across our region, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises constitute the backbone of local economies. It generates employment, stimulate innovation, promote entrepreneurship, empower women and young people, and facilitate cross-border trade.
“Yet, despite their enormous contribution, a significant proportion of these enterprises continue to operate informally, limiting their access to finance, markets, technology, business support services and legal protection.
“It is estimated that the informal sector accounts for nearly 90% of economic activities and employs not less than 60% of our labour force across member states.
“While this demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, it also highlights the urgent need to create enabling policies that encourage formalisation, improve productivity and integrate MSMEs into regional and continental value chains.”
Darbo stressed that empowering small businesses goes beyond economic growth, describing it as an essential tool for reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development across the sub-region.
He urged lawmakers and stakeholders to focus on practical reforms capable of removing barriers that continue to limit the growth of small businesses.
“As representatives of the peoples of West Africa, we have a collective responsibility to identify practical policy measures that will remove barriers confronting MSMEs and unlock their full potential. Formalising and strengthening these enterprises is not merely an economic imperative; a pathway to sustainable development and poverty reduction.
“Distinguished Members and other participants, the adoption of ECOWAS Vision 2050 provides us with a clear strategic framework for transforming our Community into a peaceful, prosperous and fully integrated region driven by its people.
“Achieving this vision requires stronger institutions commitment, including enabling business environment where MSMEs can thrive, compete and participate effectively in regional and beyond”, he added.
He also challenged participants to ensure the meeting produces practical recommendations capable of transforming the region’s business environment.
“Our discussions over the coming days should therefore move beyond identifying challenges. We must focus on developing practical recommendations that will support harmonised policies, improve access to finance, enhance digital transformation, facilitate intra-regional trade, strengthen productive capacities, and promote the participation of MSMEs in regional value chains under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“I am confident that the wealth of experience represented in this room including Honourable Members, policy experts, representatives of the private sector and development partners will generate insightful discussions and actionable recommendations capable of advancing the economic transformation of our Community”, Hon. Darbo stated.
Declaring the meeting open, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, represented by the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adjaratou Traore Coulibaly, described MSMEs as indispensable to the region’s economic growth and development.
She noted that strengthening small businesses would not only improve livelihoods but also contribute to tackling insecurity across the region by creating more opportunities for women and young people.
The Speaker observed that empowering entrepreneurs through targeted support and favourable policies would help reduce unemployment, promote inclusive growth and strengthen social stability in ECOWAS member states.
The week-long meeting is expected to produce recommendations aimed at harmonising regional policies, improving access to finance, promoting digital innovation, strengthening intra-African trade and expanding the participation of MSMEs in regional value chains under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Participants expressed optimism that implementing the outcomes of the meeting would strengthen the economies of ECOWAS member states, improve regional competitiveness and position West Africa as a stronger player in the global economy.
