ECOWAS Parliament Approves $26M Budget for 2026, Plans 25th Anniversary Celebration

The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (approximately $26 million) for the 2026 fiscal year, marking a 5% increase from the 2025 budget. This budget will primarily be financed by the ECOWAS Community Levy—a 0.5% tax on goods imported from non-ECOWAS countries—accounting for 98.64% of the total funds. The Parliament also announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November, highlighting two and a half decades of deepened regional democracy, cooperation, and growth amid ongoing challenges.

Budget Adoption and Financial Details

The budget adoption was finalized during the ECOWAS Parliament’s 2025 Second Extraordinary Session held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Speaker Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima emphasized that the budget goes beyond accounting; it is the driving force behind the Parliament’s commitment to West Africans and its priority missions. These missions include implementing conclusions from a recent seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to foster good governance and legislative efficiency. Out of the total budget, UA 19,368,394 is expected from the Community Levy, with the remainder coming from other revenue sources .

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ECOWAS Community Levy and Funding Challenges

The Community Levy plays a critical role, being the mandatory 0.5% tax on imports from non-ECOWAS states, serving as the main funding source for ECOWAS institutions. Despite its importance, some member states have defaulted on payments, an issue Speaker Ibrahima warned would invite sanctions going forward. The Parliament has urged member states to honor their financial obligations to maintain the functionality and effectiveness of ECOWAS programs .

25th Anniversary Celebration

The upcoming 25th anniversary celebration in November will showcase the Parliament’s achievements in reinforcing democracy and regional cooperation throughout West Africa. Speaker Ibrahima described the event as an opportunity to demonstrate resilience and steer a more innovative, youth-centered future for the ECOWAS community. The anniversary also serves as a reminder of ongoing duties to foster integration, peace, and socio-economic progress, as well as to honor the foundational vision that established ECOWAS and its Parliament