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Trade

West Africa

EU trade relations with West Africa. Facts, figures and latest developments.

Country or region
African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP)West Africa
Trade topics
Economic PartnershipsNegotiations and agreementsTrade policy

The EU has initialed an Economic Partnership Agreement with 16 West African states; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Until the adoption of the full regional EPA with West Africa, 'stepping stone' Economic Partnership Agreements with Ivory Coast and Ghana entered into provisional application on 3 September 2016 and 15 December 2016 respectively.

Trade picture

  • West Africa is the EU's largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. The EU is West Africa's biggest trading partner.
  • The EU is the main export market for West African transformed products (fisheries, agribusiness, textiles, etc.).
  • West Africa's exports to the EU consist mainly of fuels and food products.
  • West Africa's imports from the EU consist of fuels, food products, machinery, and chemicals and pharmaceutical products.
  • EU – West Africa trade in services is expanding, covering notably transportation and logistics, travel, and business services.
  • West Africa is the most important investment destination for the EU in Africa.

The EU and West Africa

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with West Africa covers goods and development cooperation. The EPA also includes the possibility to hold further negotiations on sustainable development, services, investment and other trade-related issues in the future.

The EPA will

  • help West Africa to integrate better into the global trading system and will support investment and economic growth in the region.
  • increase West African exports to the EU
  • stimulate investment and contribute to developing productive capacity, with a positive effect on employment.

Both parties have started to design together a monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the EPA.

All the countries in West Africa are members of the WTO.

More details on the tariff aspects of the EPA

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Committees and Dialogues

The EU and West Africa meet regularly to discuss issues and best practices and oversee the proper functioning of the agreement.

Trading with West Africa

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