From July 21 to 25, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission conducted a technical mission to Ghana focused on improving cross-border trade between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The mission was part of ongoing transit reforms in West Africa and aimed at enhancing the efficiency of goods movement through the deployment of an IT system called SIGMAT (Système interconnecté de gestion des marchandises en transit).
SIGMAT is designed to allow electronic data exchange between ECOWAS Member States, supporting efforts to streamline transit procedures across the region. Since its introduction in 2019, countries using SIGMAT have reported positive effects on their customs operations.
The technical visit followed a request made by ECOWAS Ministers from Member States along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor (ALCO) during a meeting in Cotonou on October 5, 2023. The ministers asked for rapid deployment of SIGMAT in all five corridor countries to improve cross-border trade.
During meetings held as part of the mission, Mr. Salifou TIEMTORE, Director of Customs Union and Taxation, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture: “The ECOWAS Commission reiterates its commitment to support Member States in their efforts to ensure the deployment of SIGMAT on all trade corridors to facilitate the efficient movement of goods in the region.”
Brigadier General Glover ASHONG ANNAN, Commissioner of Customs for Ghana, said: “The Ghana Revenue Authority expresses gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission for this timely intervention aimed at securing transit trade in the ECOWAS region and reducing transit-related fraud that threatens the revenues and security of Member States.”
By the end of the mission, officials reported that they had resolved key technical and functional challenges affecting customs operations between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.