ECOWAS Launches SIGMAT Digital Platform, Connect Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Liberia— Pioneering a New Era of Intra-Regional Trade.
By Raymond Enoch
In a major stride toward seamless trade integration across West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) between Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Liberia. The milestone event, held in Monrovia, marks a decisive step in the bloc’s quest to enhance intra-regional trade, transparency, and customs efficiency.
Implemented through the ECOWAS Directorate of Customs Union and Taxation, SIGMAT is designed to simplify and secure the cross-border movement of goods by digitally linking national customs systems. First introduced in 2019 in Abidjan, the platform enables real-time electronic exchange of transit data between customs authorities, thereby curbing cargo diversion, improving revenue collection, and boosting confidence among regional traders.
Mr. Saa Saamoi, Commissioner of Customs at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), hailed the deployment as a “transformative moment” for Liberia and the wider ECOWAS community.
«“As we launch SIGMAT today, let us reaffirm our dedication to sustaining the platform, ensuring that it delivers on its promise of efficiency, transparency, and reliability. Together, we can build a future where goods move freely, securely, and swiftly across our borders—fostering growth and prosperity for our people,” Saamoi said.»
From Côte d’Ivoire, Colonel Major Brice Bouagba, Inspector General of Customs, praised ECOWAS for driving the innovation, emphasizing that the system will “significantly reduce transit times and harmonize information flows,” strengthening regional cooperation and trade competitiveness.
Representing the Director General of Customs of Guinea, Mr. Mohammed Lamine Traoré noted that SIGMAT would “simplify procedures, cut transaction costs, and enhance trade efficiency,” adding that it would have a ripple effect on economic growth across West Africa.
Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Trade, Hon. Wilmot A. Reeves, described the system’s deployment as “perfectly aligned with Liberia’s economic transformation agenda,” lauding ECOWAS for providing a platform that “digitally connects Member States and lays the foundation for sustainable growth.”
Delivering remarks on behalf of Dr. Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, H.E. Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to full regional connectivity.
«“The deployment of SIGMAT between Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Liberia is a testament to ECOWAS’ resolve to modernize and secure regional trade. ECOWAS is concerned about all trade corridors and will continue supporting Member States to enhance the fluidity of cross-border trade,” she stated.»
Developed as a home-grown digital solution with support from the European Union, German Development Cooperation, the World Bank, the World Customs Organization, and UNCTAD, SIGMAT represents a key pillar in ECOWAS’ mission to strengthen economic integration and digital transformation.
With this deployment, ECOWAS continues to chart a new course toward a unified, technology-driven customs environment—one that promises to make West African trade faster, safer, and more competitive on the global stage.
