A two-day workshop on trade facilitation of the Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had ended in Accra.

The event under the Improved and Facilitated Trade in West Africa Project was under the auspices of ECOWAS and the World Bank Group aimed at unlocking the transit challenges across key trade corridors in West Africa.

The Improved and Facilitated Trade in West Africa Project is a four-year initiative that was launched in November 2014.

The €3.5 million project seeks to support ECOWAS to improve trade in the West African region and, specifically, transit trade along the region’s major trade corridors.

It focuses on reducing the time and cost to trade, and increasing border agency cooperation and coordination, to encourage a better flow of goods within the region, and with international trading partners.

Over 40 participants, including representatives from the ECOWAS and the West Africa Economic Monetary Union (WAEMU) Commissions, the European Union, the World Bank Group, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors along the three main trade corridors in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Ghana, attended the two-day event.

Speaking at the event, IFC Country Manager for Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger and Togo, Ronke-Amoni Ogunsulire said “West African countries have enormous potential to strengthen competitiveness and increase trade flows, which can drive growth, reduce poverty, and deliver jobs to the region”.

She indicated that, the World Bank Group is pleased to be working in partnership with regional organizations, member states, the private sector and development partners to help these countries unlock transit challenges along key trade corridors.

This, Ms. Ronke-Amoni Ogunsulire said will improve their competitiveness within the global economy.

Also, Director of Trade, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Gbenga Greg Obideyi said “the Economic Community of West African States is committed to implementing programs that facilitate regional integration and making it work for private sector operators and the people of West Africa,” said.

For his part, Program Officer / Macro-economic and Trade Section who represented Ambassador William Hanna, Head of the EU Delegation to Ghana, Delphine Aupicon said “the fact the European Union is financing this event is testimony of the importance we give to the promotion of the private sector as an engine for an economic and social development of West Africa. Our support to improving trade conditions is a priority of the EU cooperation with the region”.

The event brought together stakeholders along the trade corridors to share best practices in implementing reforms that facilitate trade. Main themes included: enhancing the flow of transit trade by managing trade corridors, efficient ports and effective border crossings; customs information exchange mechanisms between neighboring countries; increasing transparency of trade procedures; and promoting collaboration between national border agencies. The intended outcome was to discuss and agree on a reform action plan to improve trade facilitation along the main corridors.