ECOWAS Private Sector Directorate Holds Training for W/ African MSMEs on Leveraging AfCFTA- ETLS to Drive Economic Growth and Integration.
By Raymond Enoch
The Directorate of Private Sector, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Small Business Coalition (ESBC), is currently conducting a training program aimed at empowering West African Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from March 10 to 15, 2025, in Praia, Cape Verde. The training seeks to equip MSMEs with the necessary tools to leverage opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), aligning with the broader objectives of regional economic growth, integration, and gender-inclusive trade policies across Member States.
The training session, which is a significant component of the ECOWAS Vision 2050, brings together business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to share knowledge, best practices, and strategies to help MSMEs fully capitalize on the benefits of regional trade frameworks. By empowering small businesses, the program aims to unlock their potential as engines of economic growth, helping to drive greater economic integration within West Africa.
Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, who Dr. Tony Elumelu, Director of Private Sector, representee underscored the crucial role of MSMEs in the region’s economic landscape, emphasizing that these enterprises are vital in the process of economic integration and industrialization.
“Empowering MSMEs as engines of progress is essential for our region’s economic development,” said Dr. Elumelu.
He called on businesses to utilize available trade frameworks to overcome challenges and transform them into opportunities, spurring growth and promoting industrialization across West Africa.
The First Lady of Cape Verde, Mrs. Debora Carvalho, also attended the opening ceremony, where she expressed her country’s full support for the initiative. “This training is an excellent opportunity for our entrepreneurs to share experiences, learn from one another, and gain a deeper understanding of how to drive forward regional economic development,” said Mrs. Carvalho. She also pledged Cape Verde’s continued cooperation with the ESBC to foster West Africa’s economic development and integration.
The event has provided participants with an ample opportunity to discuss ways in which AfCFTA and ETLS can be effectively utilized to enhance trade within the region, particularly among MSMEs. As these businesses are increasingly recognized as the backbone of the West African economy, their capacity to adapt to evolving trade policies and frameworks is crucial for the subregion’s continued growth.
The training is part of a broader effort by ECOWAS to promote gender-inclusive trade policies and ensure that all businesses—regardless of size or ownership—have equal access to opportunities provided by the AfCFTA and ETLS agreements. The ultimate goal is to create a more integrated, competitive, and sustainable regional economy that benefits both large enterprises and MSMEs alike.
As the training progresses through the week, participants are expected to develop actionable insights that can be implemented within their respective businesses and nations, laying the groundwork for a more prosperous West Africa.
Through collaborative efforts such as this training, ECOWAS is taking crucial steps toward realizing its Vision 2050—where a unified and prosperous West Africa thrives through enhanced economic integration, trade liberalization, and empowerment of its businesses.
