Burkina Faso

<p>The ECOWAS<span>&nbsp;</span>ATCMA Programme is part of a broader initiative under the ATCMA umbrella Programme, with other regional components such as the ECCAS ATCMA , the SADC ATCMA &nbsp;and the COMESA ATCMA . It is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The programme aims to enhance trade competitiveness and market access in West Africa. In line with the AfCFTA, the programme focuses on improving regional competitiveness, integrating economies into continental and global value chains, and promoting sustainable trade between Africa and the EU.</p><p>Key objectives include supporting African countries in meeting international trade standards through improved testing, certification, and accreditation, while maximizing MSMEs&apos; export potential by addressing market access barriers, enhancing value addition, and promoting sustainability and technology transfer. The programme contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including economic growth, sustainable industrialization, responsible production, and gender equality.</p>

<p>The intervention will equip selected existing and new members of the ECOWAS Regional Trade Facilitation Committee and trade facilitation focal points of National AfCFTA Implementation Committees (both target committees) as well as other identified target groups with necessary knowledge, methodologies, tools, and skills to effectively design and mobilize funds for regional trade facilitation reforms, coordinate their implementation at community and national levels and monitor/evaluate results for Member States and their business communities in line with evolving priorities and international or regional best practices.</p>

<p>ITC is currently implementing the micro-level pillar of the EU-ACP Business-friendly programme, which aims to support value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion, and alliances. The program focuses on strengthening value chain governance and investment, as well as increasing the competitiveness of small farmers and MSMEs. A recently signed top-up agreement extends the implementation duration of the existing EU-ACP Business Friendly programme (B807) by 48 months, integrating additional funding and outputs into the existing initiative. The top-up aligns with the programme&apos;s objectives and will enhance access to value chain finance and sustainable investment. Three new outputs include enhancing access to agribusiness Value Chain finance and a Capacity Building Mechanism to support Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence, CSR &nbsp;and accompanying measure implementation, tailored to OACPS Member States. An initial six-month inception phase define the scope of intervention in the rum/sugar sector and advanced the selection of additional countries that will be included in the ongoing project across all value chains, namely coffee, cocoa, coconuts, cotton/fashion, kava, and rum/sugar sectors.</p>