ECOWAS: West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP)

    Overview

    Summary

    The overall objective of the regional programme is to ‘’Strengthen the competitiveness of West Africa through an enhanced level of production, transformation and export capacities of the private sectors in line with the regional and national industrial and SME strategies’’. The specific objective is ‘’to improve the performance and growth of selected priority sectors and value chains and related services by stimulating their contribution to industry, regional trade and exports’’. The intervention of ITC in the form of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) will entail the implementation of the activities related to the promotion of better regional linkages among selected value chain, support to key regional intermediary organizations, the reinforcement of industrial competitiveness in the region, and the establishment of the West African Competitiveness Observatory and related business tools.

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

    This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Projects

    Context

    Expanding West African trade 

    The goal of the International Trade Centre (ITC)’s West African Competitiveness Programme, or WACOMP, is to increase regional integration through trade. To that end, we focus on promoting conducive business environments and greater participation of the private sector in a public-private dialogue on trade policy.   

    In the regional programme we concentrate on improving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’  (MSMEs) access to secure investments and improving their regional reach. We also work to advance production and processing in the agro-food industry. 

    To improve business performance and value chain connectivity, we are reinforcing national Trade and Investment Support Institutions as well as supporting the ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisations Network to share best practices and insights.  

    Business tools 

    We are expanding the use of ITC technological tools to gather comprehensive information in the region. The Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism (TOAM) identifies existing trade obstacles to ensure the regional flow of trade improves once these obstacles are addressed.  

    ITC has also embedded the ECOWAS trade map tool (ECOTIS) in the ECOWAS Commission’s website to assist with tracking trade performance and capitalize on potential trade opportunities in the region.  

    With its user-friendly interface and up-to-date information, the West African Competitiveness Observatory serves as a monitoring tool on the competitiveness of West African countries and the region. It supports policymakers in the region to better define policies that foster competitiveness and value chain development. The observatory also supports local firms, small and medium enterprises, to establish and participate in regional value chains.

    The West Africa Competitiveness Observatory includes three modules.  Competitiveness is the first module, and the beta version was launched in May 2023. Policymakers can monitor trade competitiveness and its drivers, providing comprehensive insights into trade dynamics. The second module is the upcoming Regional Value Chain Module which will furnish detailed information on sectors to empower businesses and policymakers to increase participation in regional value chains by identifying growth opportunities. The third and upcoming module is the Business Matchmaking Module. It will facilitate connections between companies, promote collaboration and expand market reach to enhance competitiveness in the region.

    Overall, the WACOMP Observatory serves as a catalyst to enhance competitiveness, drive innovation, and foster a conducive business environment across the region.

    Testimonials

    The first training session was a mind-opener to the growth opportunities that exist in other African markets. My team looks forward to learning more on how we can build resilience as we scale up.
    The first training session was a mind-opener to the growth opportunities that exist in other African markets. My team looks forward to learning more on how we can build resilience as we scale up.
    Kwesi Kwofie
    DATAWARE
    Above all, the trainings have enabled us to see our strategies from a new angle, consider export possibilities, and to think about different scenarios. Today, with our selection, which my team and I are very proud of, we hope that the tools that will be made available to us will enable us to further strengthen our strategy and be able to sell in the sub-regional market.
    Above all, the trainings have enabled us to see our strategies from a new angle, consider export possibilities, and to think about different scenarios. Today, with our selection, which my team and I are very proud of, we hope that the tools that will be made available to us will enable us to further strengthen our strategy and be able to sell in the sub-regional market.
    Aichatoun Amadou Toure
    CODESIGN
    Through the WACOMP trainings, we discovered insidious actions that we were carrying out without much attention. This has led us to review our commercial approaches. I appreciate the open-mindedness of the facilitators and participants as well.
    Through the WACOMP trainings, we discovered insidious actions that we were carrying out without much attention. This has led us to review our commercial approaches. I appreciate the open-mindedness of the facilitators and participants as well.
    Fabrice Sonzahi
    AFRIX
    ITC's Trade Obstacle Alert Mechanism platform (TOAM) will improve Nigerian exporters’ competitiveness, should challenges be adequately addressed. More sensitization and advocacy programs on initiatives like the TOAM should be conducted to the benefit of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
    ITC's Trade Obstacle Alert Mechanism platform (TOAM) will improve Nigerian exporters’ competitiveness, should challenges be adequately addressed. More sensitization and advocacy programs on initiatives like the TOAM should be conducted to the benefit of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
    Angela Ajala
    African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program AWEP

    Videos

    Resources

    ITC contact

    Yared
    Befecadu
    Email
    befecadu [at] intracen.org