ECOWAS Ministers Urged To Accelerate Regional Integration & Industrial Growth

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called on member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deepen regional cooperation, strengthen industrial development, and remove barriers to trade to unlock the region’s full economic potential.

Speaking at the opening of the Fifth Joint Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5) in Accra on Thursday, June 11, 2026, she welcomed delegates on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to advancing regional integration and economic transformation.

She noted that as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Ghana recognises its responsibility to support decisions that promote seamless trade, industrialisation, and job creation across the continent, and emphasised that West African citizens expect markets and industries that create opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Addressing recent developments in global trade, the Hon. Minister highlighted the outcome of the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, stressing the need for ECOWAS countries to speak with one voice in international trade negotiations.

She underscored the importance of ensuring that multilateral trade commitments support the development aspirations of African economies.

The Minister observed that although ECOWAS represents a market of more than 350 million people with a combined GDP approaching US$700 billion, intra-regional trade remains below 15 percent. S

She attributed this to challenges including poor transport infrastructure, unreliable energy supply, multiple currencies, unharmonized customs procedures, and non-tariff barriers that continue to impede regional commerce.

To address these challenges, she called for stronger collaboration in developing regional value chains, particularly in textiles, apparel, and automotive manufacturing. She urged member states to adopt policies that encourage local production, increase the use of regional inputs, and promote cross-border industrial partnerships under the AfCFTA framework.

She also reiterated Ghana’s support for the implementation of key regional initiatives, including the West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP) 2026–2030, harmonised food standards, the Cross-Border Consumer Protection Regulation, and the ECOWAS Common Investment Market.

She described these frameworks as essential tools for building sustainable industries and enhancing competitiveness across the region.

Highlighting the impact of non-tariff barriers, the Minister noted that such obstacles add between 15 and 20 per cent to the cost of cross-border trade in West Africa, increasing costs for businesses and consumers alike. She called for decisive action to eliminate unnecessary checkpoints, duplicated certifications, and administrative delays that undermine regional integration efforts.

The Minister further invoked the words of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, urging West African leaders to embrace unity and collective action, while reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to working with ECOWAS member states to build a more integrated, competitive, and prosperous region for all.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Customs and Free Movement of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Amdiatta Diaby, called for stronger political commitment and effective implementation of regional trade agreements to accelerate economic integration and unlock the full benefits of trade across West Africa.

H.E. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Chair of the 5th ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5) and also the Sierra Leone Minister for Trade, urged member states to safeguard the integrity of the ECOWAS Customs Union, warning that bilateral trade arrangements that undermine the Common External Tariff could weaken the region’s collective bargaining power and economic sovereignty and reiterated the need for member countries to work collectively for the growth and advancement of the sub-region.

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