International Economics supported the ECOWAS Commission to assess the commitments in iEPAs between West African states and the EU, highlighting potential alignments or divergences with ECOWAS trade instruments, notably the ETLS and CET.
The project was funded by the Department of Economic Affairs & Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission.
Under the Cotonou Agreement, African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries negotiated Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU to promote sustainable development and better integrate ACP economies into global trade. Despite progress – with 14 African countries having EPAs or provisional EPAs in force – negotiations have faced challenges, including uneven regional engagement, particularly within West Africa’s ECOWAS. International Economics conducted a research study to assesse the commitments in interim EPAs between West African states and the EU, examining their alignment and potential conflicts with regional trade frameworks like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and Common External Tariff, to better understand their impact on regional integration and development.
Our Team has conducted a comprehensive research and analysis of the interim EPAs from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, covering commitments, tariff schedules, cooperation areas, and trade and investment performance. The report concluded that the iEPAs between Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and the EU offer key insights into balancing external trade partnerships with ECOWAS regional integration goals. Both countries are reducing tariffs significantly, boosting trade with the EU while strategically protecting sensitive sectors to support industrialisation and food security. However, their tariff liberalisation diverges from ECOWAS’ Common External Tariff, creating challenges for the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and risking fragmentation of regional integration efforts. Limited regional value chain development and complex EPA rules of origin further hinder regional cohesion. Addressing these technical conflicts and advancing a full regional EPA are essential steps to harmonise trade commitments and strengthen ECOWAS integration.
The cross-cutting nature of trade is such that it requires a comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive framework. While well-designed trade policies are vital to delivering long-term benefits for economies, so is the need for effective implementation.
At International Economics, we support the public and private sectors in navigating the policy and negotiation landscape regarding international trade. This includes establishing robust monitoring and evaluation framework through sophisticated real-time dashboards and reporting systems to ensure the best outcomes. We provide advocacy services to empower delegations and negotiators to participate effectively in trade negotiations and deliberations and advocate for their countries’ interests and positions.
