USAID, partners boost ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme

The ETLS is a regional mechanism that aims to improve intra-community trade in locally produced goods towards boosting the regional economy, stimulating employment and thereby contributing to the overall development of the region.

Transport costs in West Africa are considered among the highest in the world, constituting a serious constraint to business across the region and a disincentive to local and foreign investments.

With the support and close collaboration of the governments of Ghana and Togo, ECOWAS, UEMOA, and private sector companies engaged in trade across the region, and around the world, the USAID Trade Hub developed the pilot initiative to tackle the primary cause of delays and corruption in West African cross-border movements.

More centres to be established

The Aflao Information Centre is hosted by the Ghana Shippers' Authority, one of the West Africa Trade Hub partners, while the Kodzoviakopé Centre is hosted by the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organisation (ALCO), which is funded by the World Bank and has worked with the Trade Hub since 2009.

Similar centres are envisaged at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border at Paga-Dakola and at the Senegal-Mali border at Kidira.

The objective is to reduce transport costs, reduce if not eliminate delays in paperwork processing, prevent duplicative processes/procedures, and improve collaboration/coordination of enforcement agencies.

The launch will take place in an open-air venue at Aflao at the Ghana-Togo border and will include visits to the Ghana Shippers' Authority office, and subsequently at the ALCO office.

Ministers of State of Ghana and Togo, ECOWAS and UEMOA representatives, the US ambassador to Togo as well as representatives of foreign Iinvestors, Borderless Alliance, USAID staff and implementing partners, are expected at the occasion.