Policymakers from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are gaining new tools to boost agricultural trade and inform policy, with a focus on integrating the region’s vast informal sector.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) recently hosted a four-day workshop in Abuja, bringing together 43 officials from eight member states, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. The training, conducted in both English and French, focused on a suite of analytical tools designed to help policymakers identify export potential and market opportunities for key crops like cassava, maize, and rice.
A significant part of the workshop was dedicated to the often-overlooked informal food trade. Participants reviewed the ECOWAS Informal Cross-Border Trade database and tested a new interactive dashboard that visualizes this data. These tools provide critical insights that are typically missing from official trade statistics.
“The tools presented were highly relevant, the discussions rich, and the training environment made learning both effective and enjoyable,” said Jean Hugues Amichia, a Senior Project Officer from Côte d’Ivoire Export.
The initiative is part of the broader ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme. By equipping policymakers with better data and analytical methodologies, the program aims to strengthen regional integration and improve food security across West Africa. The feedback gathered from participants will be used to further refine the tools, ensuring they are more effective and user-friendly.
