By: Precious Miracle Miracle
At the 68th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) President Julius Maada Bio Chairman of the Authority reaffirmed commitment to regional integration and democratic governance in Abuja, Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio emphasized the rise in unconstitutional changes of government, describing it as a major threat to regional stability and democratic governance.
“ECOWAS remains committed to promoting democratic governance and stability in the region,” President Bio affirmed, urging member states to work together to address the growing trend of unconstitutional changes in government. He stressed that democratic governance is a cornerstone of ECOWAS’ integration agenda and a key driver of peace, security, and sustainable development.
President Bio also called for urgent progress in establishing the ECOWAS Single Market, enhancing the Trade Liberalisation Scheme, and strengthening cross-border infrastructure. “We must accelerate our efforts to create a borderless region where goods, services, and people can move freely,” he said.
A major announcement was made by President Bio, who revealed that ECOWAS will introduce a new measure to reduce air travel costs across West Africa, effective January 1, 2026. This initiative is expected to boost regional connectivity, trade, tourism, and promote people-to-people interactions.
The ECOWAS Chair further emphasized the need for member states to prioritize regional integration and cooperation, highlighting the importance of leveraging the region’s vast resources to drive economic growth and development.
The 68th Ordinary Session is attended by Heads of State and Government from across West Africa, who are expected to discuss and adopt key decisions on regional integration, peace, and security. The summit is expected to conclude with a final communiqué outlining the roadmap for ECOWAS’ future actions.
The success of the summit will depend on the leaders’ ability to translate discussions into tangible results for the region’s 400 million people. President Bio’s leadership is widely seen as a beacon of hope for a more integrated, secure, and prosperous West Africa.
