Deputy Speaker Kalu Elected Chair Of Pan-African Parliament’s Monetary, Financial Affairs Committee

In recognition of his outstanding parliamentary contributions, Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has been elected as the Chairman of the Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).

His election was confirmed during a session of the Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, on Tuesday. Hon. Senator Christine Mwando Katempa of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was elected as Deputy Chairman of the committee.

The position, which is one of the highest-ranking roles zoned to the West African Caucus, became vacant following the nomination of Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak (Ghana) as a Minister. Kalu’s emergence followed his nomination by the West African Caucus, which was subsequently approved by the plenary of the Parliament before the official announcement by Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, the President of the PAP.

In a letter conveying Kalu’s nomination, Chairman of the West African Caucus, Hon. Alhagie Mbow (The Gambia), highlighted his impressive track record at the Nigerian Parliament, the ECOWAS Parliament, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), where he currently leads a steering committee. The letter, read on the floor by PAP President Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, emphasized that Kalu is the most qualified candidate for the role and had been unanimously endorsed to extend his excellent work from the ECOWAS Parliament to PAP.

Kalu’s leadership and parliamentary work have received international recognition from supranational bodies such as the ECOWAS Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), further strengthening his credibility for the position.

Following his appointment, the Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee, under Kalu’s leadership, has immediately commenced work, with “consideration of the PAP 2026 proposed budget” listed as one of the key agenda items.

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union (AU). Established in March 2004, its primary objective is to ensure full participation of African citizens in governance and economic integration across the continent.

Comprising up to 275 members from 55 AU member states, the PAP exercises oversight, advisory, and consultative powers, with a long-term goal of evolving into a fully legislative body. Each member state is entitled to five representatives, including at least one woman, who are selected by their respective national legislatures.

With his new role, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu is expected to bring his wealth of legislative experience to the PAP’s Monetary and Financial Affairs Committee, contributing to Africa’s financial and economic policymaking at the continental level.