ECOWAS: West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP)

Expanding West African trade 

The West African Competitiveness Programme, or WACOMP, harnesses the expertise of the International Trade Centre (ITC) to increase regional integration through trade. We promote conducive business environments and greater participation of the private sector in a public-private dialogue on trade policy.

Our regional programme concentrates on improving micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ 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.

WACOMP also operates national programmes in Guinea, Senegal and Sierra Leone, which advance particular national priorities. 

Business tools 

We are extending the use of ITC technological tools to gather comprehensive information in the region.

The WACOMP Observatory is a monitoring tool for the trade competitiveness of West African countries, aiding policymakers in defining trade policies and supporting local SMEs in integrating into regional value chains. The Trade Obstacles Alert Mechanism (TOAM) identifies existing trade barriers with the goal of addressing them to improve regional trade flows. 

Additionally, ITC has integrated the ECOWAS trade map tool (ECOTIS) on the ECOWAS Commission’s website. This tool assists in tracking trade performance and capitalizing on potential trade opportunities in the region.  

Regional value chain guides

West Africa's promising value chains hold significant potential for regional integration. These five ITC business guides provide a comprehensive mapping of key value chains – cassava, cotton apparel, infant food, processed fish, and vegetable butter for beauty care – across West African countries, outlining major players and critical production stages. They also offer essential insights to help businesses integrate more effectively, including information on financial support, training opportunities, and key transport and logistics providers. Additionally, the guides present recommendations for businesses to strengthen their participation in these promising value chains.

WACOMP Guinea

The Pineapple Sector Revival Project (REFILA), which ran from 2019 to 2023, emerged as a pivotal WACOMP initiative, championed by ITC. 

The project sought to revitalize Guinea's pineapple industry by optimizing the entire value chain, fostering sustainable economic growth, and creating a conducive business environment. During the project, 327 tonnes of pineapple were exported in Africa and internationally. 

As a result of the project, 14 businesses were launched thanks to ITC's support, including three owned by women. Networking activities led to 339 business contacts as reported by beneficiaries. 

As an implementing partner, ITC strategically facilitated Guinean pineapple access to international markets through market identification, robust marketing plans, client support in new export ventures, and crucial linkages with target markets. 

The project spotlighted Guinea's diverse pineapple varieties, emphasizing the potential for niche markets and international exports. 

Crucially, the initiative was made possible through the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Comité de Liaison Europe-Afrique-Caraïbes-Pacifique. 

With a focus on the Baronne de Rothschild and smooth Cayenne varieties, the project sought to position Guinea prominently in the global pineapple market. 

WACOMP Guinea resources

WACOMP Sierra Leone

From 2019 to 2024 in Sierra Leone, WACOMP provided targeted support to the cassava, cocoa, and palm oil sectors at national, regional, and international levels. The programme prioritized making small businesses more competitive while ensuring they received essential support from national institutions. 

Agriculture plays a key role in Sierra Leone’s economic development. Cassava, cocoa, and palm oil have strong potential to increase export revenues. Local value addition and improved access to markets are essential to further grow the industry, create jobs and increase employment opportunities for women and youth. 

ITC organized more than 40 events – including technical workshops, public-private dialogues, participation in trade fairs, and study tours. These enhanced the trade support services offered by business support organizations, expanding market opportunities for small businesses, and providing comprehensive training on governance and other critical skills for cooperatives and producer associations. These efforts also supported small businesses in accessing financial services. Additionally, ITC collaborated with the government and other key stakeholders to strengthen the country’s institutional, legal, and regulatory framework for trade. 

By supporting participation in international trade fairs, the programme has enabled over 19 small businesses to conduct over 100 business-to-business meetings and access 13 new markets, generating over $1.6 million in sales. 

The programme boosted the export potential and sustainability of agribusinesses in Sierra Leone, creating a positive and lasting economic impact. 

WACOMP Sierra Leone resources