With a lot happening in West Africa in terms of regional Integration, our Chief Executive, Dode Seidu was a panelist on Ghana’s seminal TV Programme Eye on Port discuss the Withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali & Niger from ECOWAS: Implications for Transit Trade.
In his submissions, Dode highlighted that the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS and the formation of the Alliance of Sahelian States further deepens the challenges of regional integration within West Africa. While commending Ghana’s new President’s efforts at relations with AES countries, and ECOWAS open-door policy for a diplomatic solution, he noted that as long as the military regimes stayed in power in these three countries, it may be difficult to see a return of these countries to the ECOWAS bloc.
In terms of these developments impact on transit trade in West Africa, Dode made three points:
1. Transit trade will not be affected as these three countries in the Sahel which are land-linked will continue to depend on Coastal countries in West Africa for transit trade.
2. Until July 2025, ECOWAS has kept in place all existing regulations on trade and transit with the AES countries including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), ECOWAS Free Movement of People Protocol and other related instruments.
3. The key challenges to transit and regional trade is more in how #AES members will continue to treat and relate with Protocols and instruments of trade in ECOWAS.
Dode was joined by Dr. Adam Bonaa, Executive Secretary of Small Arms Commission of Ghana, and Mr. Sheriff Ouedrego, of the Burkina Shippers Council in Ghana.
