Senior Trade Officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member States convened in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 15th to 16th, 2024. The gathering aimed to consider regional instruments that could enhance regional economic integration and trade.
The primary objective of the two-day meeting was to review, validate, and recommend regional trade policy instruments to the Ministers of Trade and Industry. Additionally, the meeting also examined the region's participation in and outcome of the 13th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13).
Mr. Kolawole Sofola, Director of Trade for ECOWAS, delivered opening remarks on behalf of Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening economic integration and addressing current trade issues. "Our concerted efforts today are geared towards ensuring our trade policies respond to the changing realities, and promote prosperity in our region," Mr. Sofola stated. He encouraged Member States to leverage various regional, continental and multilateral Decisions and Instruments.
Madam Zulaikha Abdullahi, Deputy Director – Intra-African Trade, welcomed the Senior Trade Officials on behalf of H.E. Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anniete, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She praised ECOWAS Commission for organizing the meeting and expressed gratitude towards Member States for their dedication to promoting regional integration on trade.
Amongst topics discussed were outcomes from the thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference, implementation status of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
The meeting concluded with a recommendation to establish a Regional Working Group on Tariff Renegotiations at WTO. It also suggested concluding a cooperation agreement between ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) and Member States to bolster competition policy and enforcement mechanisms across the region.
The meeting saw attendance from Senior Trade Officials from ECOWAS Members States, officials from the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, and representatives from the WTO.
Alerts Sign-up