Lawmakers confront border bottlenecks, customs hurdles and funding gaps stifling small businesses and regional economic integration across West Africa.
The dream of a fully integrated West African market where goods, services and people move freely across borders suffered another major reality check this week as lawmakers of the ECOWAS Parliament confronted the mounting frustrations faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating within the region.
From a pineapple juice factory struggling to access neighbouring markets despite huge production potential, to women traders alleging harassment and corruption at border crossings, the lawmakers’ field visit and town hall engagement in Cotonou exposed the deep-rooted barriers threatening the survival of small businesses that are expected to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty in West Africa.
The engagements, held on Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, 2026, formed part of the ongoing delocalised meeting of key committees of the ECOWAS Parliament, including the committees on Industry and Private Sector, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, Administration, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts.
The lawmakers’ mission was to assess the practical challenges confronting businesses and traders and identify policy gaps undermining the implementation of ECOWAS’ regional integration agenda.
At LES JUS TILLOU, a pineapple juice processing company in Benin Republic, the lawmakers listened to a painful account of how regional trade restrictions continue to frustrate entrepreneurs despite years of promises of a borderless West Africa.
The owner of the factory, Madam Guedegbe Marcos, told the parliamentarians that while exporting her products to markets in Canada and Europe was relatively easier, doing business within West Africa remained a major struggle due to bureaucratic hurdles and border constraints.
She said the company, which was established with nearly 4 billion CFA financing from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), requires another 1 billion CFA to expand production capacity and improve packaging.
Despite strong demand for the company’s products, she said, regional trade barriers have prevented the business from reaching its full potential.
“Free movement of people, goods and services is just a phrase; it is far from the reality on the ground,” she lamented.
The complaint reflects a wider concern among businesses across the region that the promise of economic integration under ECOWAS has not fully translated into easier trade for ordinary entrepreneurs.
Established in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was created to promote economic cooperation, free movement and regional development among member states. Over the years, the bloc introduced initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and protocols on free movement to encourage cross-border commerce.
However, businesses and traders continue to report challenges including multiple checkpoints, inconsistent customs procedures, unofficial payments, delays at borders and difficulties accessing finance.
The situation has particularly affected MSMEs, which account for a significant share of employment and economic activities across West Africa but often lack the resources to navigate complex regulations and high operational costs.
The ECOWAS Parliament, after hearing the concerns of the entrepreneur, promised to engage national lawmakers and relevant authorities in member states to push for solutions.
The lawmakers also visited the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone (GDIZ), a major industrial hub developed through a public-private partnership between the Benin Republic government and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms.
Located about 45 kilometres from the Cotonou Port, the industrial zone has attracted more than 40 companies involved in sectors ranging from cashew and soybean processing to textiles, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and electric vehicle production.
The visit showcased the potential of industrialisation and local value addition in transforming West Africa’s economy.
At the GDIZ Textile Park, the parliamentarians observed a fully integrated textile production system covering the entire value chain — from spinning and weaving to garment manufacturing — as part of efforts to retain more economic value within the region.
The following day, the lawmakers moved to KP3 in Cotonou for a town hall meeting where traders presented firsthand accounts of the difficulties they encounter in cross-border commerce.
Women traders were among those who raised concerns, accusing some border officials of harassment and demanding urgent reforms to make trade safer and more predictable.
They also called for greater access to loans and financial support, particularly for women entrepreneurs who they said are often excluded from funding opportunities.
Another major demand was the harmonisation of customs fees across ECOWAS countries to eliminate confusion and reduce the cost of moving goods across borders.
The traders urged governments to create a more enabling environment that would encourage businesses operating informally to transition into the formal sector.
Responding to the concerns, members of the ECOWAS Parliament assured stakeholders that their submissions would be carefully considered and presented to relevant authorities for action.
The lawmakers noted that regional trade must become a practical tool for fighting poverty, unemployment and insecurity, stressing that policies and practices preventing MSMEs from flourishing must be urgently addressed.
They maintained that the success of ECOWAS integration would ultimately be measured not only by agreements signed at government level but by the ability of ordinary citizens, traders and entrepreneurs to benefit from a truly open regional market.
For thousands of small businesses across West Africa, the lawmakers’ visit has renewed expectations that the long-promised borderless economy may finally move from policy documents into everyday reality.
