West Africa

2026 marks a milestone in our trade relations with Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, with the 10^th anniversary of the signature and entry into force of our respective interim (or ‘stepping stone’) Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).

The EU-Côte d’Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed on 28 July 2016 and entered into provisional application on 15 December 2016, while the EU-Ghana EPA was signed on 28 July 2016 and entered into provisional application on 15 December 2016. 

Trade picture

• West Africa is the EU's largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the EU is West Africa's biggest trading partner. Total trade between the two regions amounted to €68 billion in 2025.
• The EU is the leading export market for West African processed products, including fisheries, agribusiness and textiles.
• West Africa's exports to the EU consist mainly of fuels and food products, particularly cocoa and cocoa products. Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana together account for more than 60% of EU imports of cocoa and cocoa products.
• West Africa's imports from the EU consist mainly of fuels, food products, machinery, and chemicals & pharmaceutical products.
• Trade in services between the EU and West Africa is growing, particularly in transport and logistics, travel, and business services.
• West Africa is the EU's second most important investment destination in Africa, with total EU investment stock amounting to €54 billion in 2024.
• All countries in West Africa are members of the WTO.
• Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana account together for 32% of the EU’s total trade with West Africa. Nigeria accounts for another 38%.
• Since the provisional application of the interim EPAs in 2016, the EU’s total trade with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana has more than doubled, reaching €22 billion in 2025.
• The EPA has contributed to diversifying Ivoirian and Ghanaian exports. For instance, processed cocoa products now account for 46% of Ghana’s and 42% of Côte d’Ivoire’s total cocoa exports to the EU, compared with 25% and 32% respectively in 2016.

EU- Côte d’Ivoire interim Economic Partnership Agreement

• Text of the agreement 
• Infographic (other languages)
• Factsheet
• Updated Côte d’Ivoire Market Access Offer for products originating in the EU

EU-Ghana interim Economic Partnership Agreement

• Text of the agreement 
• Factsheet: Updated Ghana market access offer for products originating in the EU
• Impact study of the interim EPAs with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana on regional trade in West Africa
• EU-Côte d’Ivoire and EU-Ghana interim EPAs - Joint monitoring reports

EU-Côte d’Ivoire negotiations for a Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement

Negotiations for a bilateral Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) between the EU and Côte d’Ivoire were launched on 17 July 2026. The main objective of the future bilateral SIFA will be to increase sustainable investment by EU businesses in Côte d’Ivoire, while Ivoirian businesses will benefit from facilitation measures and improved linkages between foreign investors and domestic suppliers

The SIFA reinforces the existing partnership between the two parties as the EU and Côte d’Ivoire celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the provisional application of their interim EPA in 2026. 

EU-West Africa regional Economic Partnership Agreement

The EU has concluded negotiations for a regional EPA with 16 West African states: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). This agreement is yet to enter into force, as the signature and ratification processes have not been completed.

• Text of the agreement

Committees and Dialogues

The EU meets regularly with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to discuss issues and best practices and oversee the proper functioning of their respective interim EPAs.

• Meetings and documents

Trading with West Africa

• Importing into the EU from West Africa
  • EU trade defence measures on imports from West Africa
• Exporting from the EU to West Africa
  • Trade defence measures in force in West Africa
• Trade relations are part of the EU's overall political and economic relations with Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Mauritania
• Aid for trade:
  • The EU provides aid through development cooperation. 
  • The EU also provides specific aid for trade in West Africa.
• Trade relations with West Africa are part of the EU's overall political and economic relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
• EU-Côte d’Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreement: Creating opportunities for EU and African businesses (factsheet)
• EU-Ghana Economic Partnership Agreement: Creating opportunities for EU and African businesses (factsheet)
• See how the interim Economic Partnership Agreement is benefitting exporters in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana