Liberia will host the 4th General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) from December 9 to 11, 2026, in Monrovia.
The conference, organised in collaboration with the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia, will be held under the theme: ‘Unleashing Intra-African Trade and Investment: Legislative Priorities and Imperatives for Continental Prosperity.’
The confirmation followed a high-level assessment visit to Monrovia by a delegation from the CoSPAL Secretariat, led by its Secretary-General, Amb. ‘Dapo Oyewole, from September 16 to 20.
During the visit, the delegation reviewed logistical arrangements, inspected hotel facilities and held a session with the Local Organising Committee, led by its Chairperson, Hon. Nehker E. Gaye, as well as relevant Liberian authorities and stakeholders.
The visit culminated in a meeting on Saturday, September 19, with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, where the delegation presented its assessment and formally signed the 4th CoSPAL General Assembly Country Host Agreement.
The agreement formalises Liberia’s role as host of the gathering, which will bring together Speakers and Presidents of national legislatures from across Africa.
The assembly will focus on the role of legislative leadership and parliamentary cooperation in unlocking Africa’s economic potential, with particular attention to laws and regulatory frameworks that can facilitate greater mobility, trade and investment across the continent.
Participants will also examine ways of harmonising laws to reduce barriers to intra-African trade and create a more coherent legislative environment for businesses and citizens.
Speaking on the assessment visit, Koon said Liberia was honoured to host the assembly and expressed the country’s readiness to welcome legislative leaders from across Africa.
‘We are delighted to welcome the assessment team from the CoSPAL Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, Amb. ‘Dapo Oyewole, to Liberia,’ he said.
Koon said the visit provided an opportunity to assess facilities, review processes and ensure that institutional arrangements were in place for the successful hosting of the assembly.
Oyewole said Africa’s economic integration required legislative systems capable of translating continental commitments into practical outcomes.
He said harmonised laws and enabling legislative and regulatory frameworks were essential to making it easier for Africans to move, trade and invest across the continent.
The CoSPAL Secretary-General thanked Koon and the Local Organising Committee for their commitment to hosting the assembly, which he described as an important gathering of Africa’s legislative leadership.
Gaye, who is also Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said the Local Organising Committee had worked with the CoSPAL Secretariat to assess facilities and review the processes required for a successful assembly.
She commended Koon, the CoSPAL Secretariat, committee members and government agencies for their support.
CoSPAL and the Liberian House of Representatives reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation ahead of the December meeting, with emphasis on strengthening legislative leadership and harmonising laws to promote intra-African trade, investment and broader economic development.