Monrovia, Liberia — 19 September 2026 — The Conference of Speakers and Presidents of
African Legislatures (CoSPAL) and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia have
jointly confirmed that Liberia will host the 4th CoSPAL General Assembly from 9–11
December 2026 in Monrovia, under the theme: “Enhancing Intra-African Trade and
Investment Through Legislative Leadership and Parliamentary Cooperation.”
The confirmation follows a high-level assessment visit to Monrovia from 16–20 September 2026
by a delegation from the CoSPAL Secretariat led by the Secretary-General, Amb. ’Dapo Oyewole.
The delegation reviewed the logistical arrangements, inspected hotel facilities, and held a
comprehensive review session at the House of Representatives with the Local Organising
Committee led by the Chairperson Hon. Nehker Gaye, as well as relevant Liberian authorities
and stakeholders.
The visit culminated in a meeting on Saturday 19th September with the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, to provide feedback from the CoSPAL
Delegation and the Local Organising Committee, leading to the official signing of the 4th CoSPAL
General Assembly Country Host Agreement, formalising Liberia’s role as host country for this
premier gathering of Africa’s legislative leaders.
The 4th General Assembly will bring together Speakers and Presidents of national legislatures
from across Africa to explore how legislative leadership and parliamentary cooperation can be
instrumental in unlocking the continent’s economic potential. Central to the discussions at the
4th CoSPAL General Assembly will be determining how laws and regulatory frameworks can be
developed, adopted and harmonised to create a more coherent legislative ecosystem that
facilitates greater mobility, expands trade and investment opportunities, reduces barriers to
intra-African trade and enables easier, faster and more profitable trade across the continent.
The Assembly will further provide an important platform for parliamentary leaders to examine
the legislative and institutional measures required to translate continental commitments on
economic integration into practical outcomes for African businesses, citizens and economies.
Speaking on the occasion of the CoSPAL Secretariat’s Assessment Visit, Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe
Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the assessment team from the CoSPAL Secretariat, led by the
Secretary-General, Amb. ’Dapo Oyewole, to Liberia. The visit has provided an opportunity to work
closely together to assess our facilities, review the necessary processes and ensure that the
institutional arrangements are in place for the successful hosting of the 4th CoSPAL General
Assembly. Liberia is honoured to host an Assembly focused on strengthening the legislative
foundations for intra-African trade and investment, and we look forward to welcoming Speakers
and Presidents of African legislatures to Monrovia.”
CoSPAL Secretary-General, Amb. ’Dapo Oyewole, said:
“Africa’s economic integration requires legislative systems that enable those commitments to work
in practice. Harmonising laws and ensuring enabling legislative and regulatory frameworks across
the continent are essential to creating an ecosystem in which Africans can move, trade and invest
more easily across the continent. As the highest platform for Africa’s legislative leaders, the 4th
CoSPAL General Assembly will provide an important opportunity for the continent’s legislative
leaders to collaboratively advance these priorities and translate them into concrete action. We
sincerely thank Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of
the Republic of Liberia and the Local Organising Committee for their leadership and dedication
to hosting what will be an historic gathering of Africa’s legislative leadership in the beautiful city
of Monrovia”.
The Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee and Chairperson of the House Committee
on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nehker E. Gaye, said:
“Over the past few days, it has been a pleasure to work with the delegation from the CoSPAL
Secretariat as we assess facilities, review processes and ensure that the systems and structures
required for a successful hosting of the General Assembly are in place. We are grateful to Rt. Hon.
Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia
for his visionary leadership and the CoSPAL Secretariat for its commitment and collaboration,
and we equally appreciate the dedication of the members of the Local Organising Committee and
the various government agencies working in concert to ensure that Liberia hosts a successful and
memorable 4th CoSPAL General Assembly.”
CoSPAL and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia reaffirmed their
commitment to close cooperation in the preparations for the General Assembly and to ensuring
that the December gathering contributes meaningfully to strengthening legislative leadership,
harmonising of laws to bolster intra-African trade and investment, and drive Africa’s broader
economic development agenda.
About CoSPAL
The Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) is an indigenous pan-
African institution that brings together Speakers and Presidents of Senate from national legislatures
to strengthen legislative leadership, advance parliamentary diplomacy, and promote collective
legislative action on matters of shared continental interest.
CoSPAL was established in 2022 under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, then
Speaker of Nigeria’s 9th House of Representatives, alongside other distinguished African legislative
leaders, including Rt. Hon. Tagesse Chafo of Ethiopia, Rt. Hon. Justin Muturi of Kenya, Rt. Hon.
Donatille Mukabalisa of Rwanda, Rt. Hon. Moustapha Niasse of Senegal, Rt. Hon. Mike Oquaye of
Ghana, and Rt. Hon. Thandi Modise of South Africa. For more information: www.cospal-africa.org
