ECOWAS, High Level ETLS Task Force Visits Gambia and Senegal, Tackles Trade Barriers to Boost Regional Integration.
By Raymond Enoch
A high-level mission spearheaded by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Task Force, led by Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, visited The Gambia and Senegal from March 9 to 15, 2025 address obstacles hindering intra – community trade .
The mission’s primary goal was to engage with political leaders, customs authorities, and private sector stakeholders to address the growing impediments on intra-community trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
During the week-long mission, the delegation focused on strengthening trade relations and ensuring the smooth flow of goods between the two nations. Key discussions centered on the challenges faced by Gambian traders, particularly the restricted access of Gambian ETLS-approved products into Senegal and ongoing harassment at border crossings. The mission aimed to identify practical solutions and foster collaboration between both governments to eliminate such trade barriers.
One of the mission’s significant activities included a visit to the Banjul-Farafenni corridor, an essential trade route that connects The Gambia to Senegal. Here, the task force was able to assess firsthand the operational challenges and bottlenecks affecting the movement of goods. By engaging local authorities and customs officials, the task force sought to uncover systemic issues, offering recommendations to enhance efficiency, streamline procedures, and ultimately promote a more seamless regional trading environment.
In their discussions, the delegation also touched upon existing trade facilitation measures, acknowledging the progress made but emphasizing the need for greater harmonization of policies, improved infrastructure, and better enforcement of the ETLS provisions across the region. Notably, the task force underscored the importance of eliminating harassment and ensuring that products certified under the ETLS framework are afforded unfettered access to the regional markets.
Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Chairman of the ETLS Task Force, expressed confidence that these advocacy efforts would significantly advance ECOWAS’s goal of deeper economic integration. “We are committed to resolving these barriers and facilitating smoother trade across borders,” he said. “By working together, we can ensure that our regional market functions more effectively, benefiting not just The Gambia and Senegal, but all of ECOWAS.”
The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme, which aims to foster economic integration by reducing tariffs and trade restrictions among member states, continues to play a crucial role in shaping West Africa’s economic future. As intra-regional trade remains a key pillar of ECOWAS’s long-term strategy, the outcomes of this mission are expected to significantly impact both trade policy and on-the-ground business practices within the region.
The task force’s advocacy mission represents a continued commitment to tackling trade barriers head-on, ensuring that West Africa can unlock its full economic potential and move closer to achieving regional prosperity.
