By Precious D. Freeman
The Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament commenced a high-level delocalized sitting of its Joint Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget; Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research; Public Accounts; and Industry and Private Sector.
The five-day meeting, taking place from June 16 to 20 in Monrovia, is focused on the critical theme: “Assessing the Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Investment Policy as an Instrument for Addressing the Rising Levels of Unemployment in the Sub-Region.”
Bringing together Members of Parliament from across West Africa, officials of the ECOWAS Commission, representatives of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), and development partners, the gathering seeks to evaluate and reshape investment policies with the goal of catalyzing job creation and sustainable growth.
In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, the 4th Deputy Speaker, Billay G. Tunkara, set the tone for the deliberations, reaffirming the regional body’s commitment to inclusive economic development.
“We must assess not only the strength of our investment flows, but the quality and equity of their outcomes,” he said.
Tunkara pointed out that despite notable economic growth in several ECOWAS countries, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high reaching as much as 30% in some member states.
“This is not just an economic issue; it is a threat to our social fabric and to the future of regional integration,” he warned.
The ECOWAS Investment Policy (EIP), Tunkara noted, was created to foster private sector-led development by improving the investment climate, encouraging intra-regional investment, and promoting small and medium enterprises.
However, he called for a candid reassessment. “While FDI is increasing, investments are not flowing into sectors that generate broad-based employment,” he cautioned.
The Deputy Speaker urged that the EIP be recalibrated to focus more on high-labor sectors like agriculture, agro-processing, and light manufacturing.
He also pushed for institutional strengthening, regional investment vehicles, and targeted support for youth entrepreneurship and vocational training.
The president Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, officially welcomed the delegation, stating that Liberia was proud to host the meeting at such a pivotal moment.
“Monrovia is not just our capital. It is a symbol of Africa’s resilience. We welcome you with open arms to deliberate on the economic future of our youth,” she said.
Senator Lawrence praised ECOWAS Parliament’s role in supporting Liberia’s political stability and highlighted Liberia’s own reforms to boost investment and support SMEs.
“We are working to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and empower our youth through vocational training and entrepreneurship programs,” she noted.
Linking employment to peace and development, Senator Lawrence declared, “By addressing youth unemployment, we are investing in dignity, in peace, and in the prosperity of our region.” She called for increased synergy between national and regional institutions to drive inclusive economic policies.
Chairman of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy and Research, Alhagie S. Darbo, emphasized the need for the EIP to be more than just a framework on paper.
“We must move from aspiration to implementation ensure that investments lead to decent jobs, especially for women and youth,” he told attendees.
Darbo stressed that the EIP must align with national development strategies and support marginalized communities.
“We cannot afford a policy that excludes the very people it was designed to empower,” he asserted.
He encouraged participants to leverage the five-day session to make practical, reform-oriented recommendations. “This meeting must deliver more than reports. It must produce strategies that bring jobs and hope to our region’s young people,” Darbo concluded.
The head of the Liberian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Edwin Melvin Snowe, added historical depth and urgency to the gathering.
“Monrovia, named after a U.S. President and founded as a refuge for freed slaves, represents freedom, resilience, and self-determination. It is fitting that we host this crucial conversation here,” he said.
Senator Snowe tied the regional discussion to Liberia’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, stating that it symbolized the country’s rising leadership and diplomatic engagement.
“Liberia is ready to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s economic and political future,” he declared.
Highlighting the centrality of youth unemployment, he reiterated the gravity of the challenge. “This is more than an economic metric. It is a crisis that feeds instability, drives irregular migration, and undercuts faith in governance,” Snowe said.
He called for greater collaboration between ECOWAS institutions, national governments, and the private sector to implement investment strategies that are inclusive, impactful, and aligned with the realities on the ground.
Throughout the opening session, all speakers acknowledged the ECOWAS Investment Policy as a key instrument for change but emphasized that its effectiveness must be measured by real-world outcomes—especially the creation of decent, sustainable jobs.
The week-long session will feature technical presentations, expert consultations, and committee deliberations.
Participants are expected to review investment trends, evaluate institutional capacities, and identify priority sectors for job-intensive investments.
Development partners, including financial institutions and multilateral agencies, are also attending the sessions to provide guidance and support for the implementation of committee recommendations.
Stakeholders are optimistic that this meeting could serve as a turning point in reshaping regional investment dynamics.
In a region where over 60% of the population is under 25, the stakes are high. Delegates reiterated that the success of ECOWAS integration and development hinges on providing real opportunities for young people across the region.
As the meeting progresses, emphasis remains on developing actionable strategies that can bridge the gap between investment inflows and employment outcomes.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that the ECOWAS Investment Policy becomes a true engine of transformation for the region’s economies and societies.
With Liberia playing host to this critical conversation, the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament has signaled that now is the time for bold decisions, collaborative action, and inclusive growth.
