ECOWAS supports Gambia's cross-border trade through workshop

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission recently organized a workshop in Banjul, The Gambia, aimed at strengthening the capacity of The Gambia's National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC). The event took place on October 3rd and 4th, 2024.

The two-day workshop focused on enhancing the NTFC's ability to implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Participants were also briefed on meeting notification requirements and understanding trade facilitation measures. The NTFC was highlighted as a key coordinating body for implementing trade facilitation matters.

Mr. Lamin Dampha, Permanent Secretary of The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, welcomed delegates on behalf of the Honourable Minister. He remarked on the timely nature of the workshop, stating that it coincides with critical efforts to improve border procedures and reduce trade costs across ECOWAS Member States. Mr. Dampha expressed gratitude towards ECOWAS and the Trade Facilitation West Africa (TFWA) Program for their collaboration in organizing this event to support trade facilitation initiatives in The Gambia.

H.E Miatta French, ECOWAS Permanent Resident Representative in The Gambia, emphasized the importance of the NTFC in implementing key international, continental, and regional trade facilitation initiatives. She underscored that trade facilitation is central to ECOWAS’s mission of enhancing regional integration. Several initiatives by ECOWAS were mentioned as part of these efforts.

Ms. Benedicte Meille from the World Bank Group’s TFWA programme participated in the workshop. She highlighted TFWA's ongoing support for activities like this workshop that aim to bolster cross-border trade through effective implementation of trade facilitation initiatives. Ms. Meille affirmed TFWA’s commitment to aligning its support with national priorities and promoting regional integration.

Attendees included officials from various Gambian governmental bodies such as The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment; The Gambia Revenue Authority; The Gambia Immigration Department; and others involved with national trade facilitation efforts. Representatives from ECOWAS Commission and World Bank Group were also present.