ECOWAS: West Africa Business and Export Promotion Project (WABEP)

Expanding West African trade

The West African Competitiveness Programme, or WACOMP, harnesses the expertise of the International Trade Centre (ITC) to increase regional integration through trade. We promote conducive business environments and greater participation of the private sector in a public-private dialogue on trade policy.

Our regional programme concentrates on improving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to secure investments and improving their regional reach. We also work to advance production and processing in the agro-food industry.

To improve business performance and value chain connectivity, we are reinforcing national trade and investment support institutions as well as supporting the ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisations Network to share best practices and insights.

WACOMP also operates national programmes in Guinea, Senegal and Sierra Leone, which advance particular national priorities.

Business tools

We are extending the use of ITC technological tools to gather comprehensive information in the region.

The WACOMP Observatory is a monitoring tool for the trade competitiveness of West African countries, aiding policymakers in defining trade policies and supporting local SMEs in integrating into regional value chains. The Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism (TOAM) identifies existing trade barriers with the goal of addressing them to improve regional trade flows.

Additionally, ITC has integrated the ECOWAS trade map tool (ECOTIS) on the ECOWAS Commission’s website. This tool assists in tracking trade performance and capitalizing on potential trade opportunities in the region.

Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism

Trade regulations and procedures represent a major source of obstacles to international trade and a particular challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises. The International Trade Centre’s Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism (TOAM) is a tool to support businesses to overcome such trade barriers.

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Export products

Women in Sierra Leone slice cassava with a large knife

Cassava can reduce both hunger and poverty in the region. ITC provides technical assistance to develop new cassava products, as well as to market them and ensure they comply with quality standards.

Photo by ITC

West Africa producers of mango products show their goods at a trade fair

Mango can reduce both hunger and poverty in the region. ITC under the WACOMP programme provides technical assistance to develop new mango products, as well as to market them and ensure they comply with quality standards.

Photo by ITC

West African clothing maker shows dresses at a trade fair

In textiles and garments, the WACOMP programme provides tailored training to increase resilience to market demand.

Photo by ITC

West African tech entrepreneur explains his product to a potential customer at a trade fair

Information and communication technology (ICT) enhances agribusiness trade. The WACOMP programme provides technical assistance and capacity building so small businesses can better meet market demands.

Photo by ITC

Videos

WACOMP Regional

12 12 July 2021

Testimonials

The first training session was a mind-opener to the growth opportunities that exist in other African markets. My team looks forward to learning more on how we can build resilience as we scale up.

Kwesi Kwofie

DATAWARE

Technology and services company

Above all, the trainings have enabled us to see our strategies from a new angle, consider export possibilities, and to think about different scenarios. Today, with our selection, which my team and I are very proud of, we hope that the tools that will be made available to us will enable us to further strengthen our strategy and be able to sell in the sub-regional market.

Aichatoun Amadou Toure

CODESIGN

Technology and communication start-up

Through the WACOMP trainings, we discovered insidious actions that we were carrying out without much attention. This has led us to review our commercial approaches. I appreciate the open-mindedness of the facilitators and participants as well.

Fabrice Sonzahi

AFRIX

Open data and AI technology company

Both the B2B and the trade fair were very essential to our individual businesses as we had a positive connection with potential buyers and companies. The only source of knowledge is experience.

Nyakeh Abdulai

Sinava Women Agricultural Development Association (SiWADA)

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Previous projects

WACOMP Guinea

In retrospect, the Pineapple Sector Revival Project (REFILA) emerges as a pivotal WACOMP initiative, championed by ITC.

The project sought to revitalize Guinea's pineapple industry by optimizing the entire value chain, fostering sustainable economic growth, and creating a conducive business environment. During the project, 327 tonnes of pineapple were exported in Africa and internationally

As a result of the project, 14 businesses were launched thanks to ITC' support, including three owned by women owned. Networking activities led to 339 business contacts reported by beneficiaries.

As an implementing partner, the ITC strategically facilitated Guinean pineapple access to international markets through market identification, robust marketing plans, client support in new export ventures, and crucial linkages with target markets.

The project spotlighted Guinea's diverse pineapple varieties, emphasizing the potential for niche markets and international exports.

Crucially, the initiative was made possible through the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Comité de Liaison Europe-Afrique-Caraïbes-Pacifique.

With a focus on the Baronne de Rothschild and smooth Cayenne varieties, the project sought to position Guinea prominently in the global pineapple market.