A strong call for deeper West African solidarity echoed through the chambers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged member states to prioritise homegrown innovation and intra-regional collaboration over external dependence.

Speaking at the ECOWAS First Extraordinary Session and the First 2026 Parliamentary Seminar in Abuja, the Kogi Central lawmaker framed her message around what she described as an “Africa First” approach to development — one rooted in shared research, industrial integration, and mutual trust among West African nations.

The seminar, themed around deepening regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), brought together lawmakers and stakeholders to examine strategies for expanding intra-community trade across the sub-Region
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that meaningful trade expansion cannot succeed without a solid foundation of cooperation in research, product development, and technology exchange.

“In areas of industrial integration, research, market linkages and product development, it will enhance and expand trade and commerce within the West African region,” she said.

However, she expressed concern that ECOWAS countries often look outward for partnerships while neglecting collaboration within the bloc.

Questioning the region’s commitment to internal cooperation, she asked: “How much research and innovation have been conducted amongst ourselves? How much technology developed in our countries have we willingly shared amongst ourselves?”

She warned that without building confidence in each other’s systems and standards, AfCFTA’s ambitions could face serious trust gaps.

“If we have failed in this foundation, then how can we trust the products that we have produced in our countries to be willingly patronised amongst ourselves?” she queried.

Rethinking Partnership Priorities

Referencing a recent collaboration between Ghana and Germany on vaccine development, the senator acknowledged the value of global alliances but challenged ECOWAS states to first strengthen ties within the region.

“It is okay if we promote innovations with America, with the United Kingdom, with France. But primarily, as a region, we should not neglect ourselves because we share heritage, we share problems,” she said.

She advocated open research systems, inter-university partnerships, and cross-border innovation platforms that would allow researchers and entrepreneurs across Mali, Gambia, Liberia and other ECOWAS states to easily access shared knowledge.

“Let us not hoard the products of our research. Let us have open research platforms, our technology hubs and innovation hubs responding and relating better,” she urged.

Unlocking the Blue Economy

Beyond trade and research, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted emerging opportunities in the blue economy, noting growing international attention on maritime and water-based development.

She called for West African countries to jointly develop their coastal and marine resources, arguing that coordinated investment could significantly boost trade volumes and economic resilience within the ECOWAS region.

“As parliamentarians, let us task our ministries to reach out to their counterparts across the region and trust that they will openly share the products of their research. That is the foundation we must not neglect,” she added.

Her remarks set a reflective tone for the summit, reinforcing the argument that regional integration must move beyond policy declarations to practical cooperation — built on trust, transparency, and shared innovation — if West Africa is to fully harness the promise of AfCFTA.