ECOWAS Moves To Unlock Inclusive Digital Trade Across West Africa
For thousands of women and small-scale traders across West Africa, selling goods beyond their immediate communities remains a challenge. ECOWAS is now pushing for digital trade to open new markets, reduce barriers and give underserved groups greater access to economic opportunities.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened its E-Commerce Community Forum in Abuja to accelerate regional digital trade and promote inclusive access to markets across West Africa.
The forum, held from 27 to 28 October 2026, is focused on implementing the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy (2023–2027), with particular attention to women, young people, persons with disabilities and small-scale cross-border traders.
Supported by the World Bank through the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme (WARDIP), the meeting brought together regional and national stakeholders to explore ways of strengthening digital skills, improving internet connectivity, expanding secure payment systems and facilitating cross-border transactions.
Speaking at the forum, representatives of ECOWAS, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Nigeria and Senegal stressed the need to translate regional commitments into practical measures that make digital commerce more accessible and competitive.
ECOWAS noted that its initiatives had already trained more than 800 small-scale cross-border traders, most of them women.
The discussions are expected to produce an Action Plan to tackle barriers limiting participation in digital commerce, particularly among underserved communities.
The forum will be followed by the Second Meeting of the Regional E-Commerce Committee from 29 to 30 October, which will further strengthen regional cooperation towards expanding digital trade opportunities across West Africa.
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