Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) task force embarks on advocacy mission to the Gambia and Senegal
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Chairman of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Program (ETLS), fulfilled his mission to promote regional trade integration, and Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas led a high delegation to Gambia and Senegal, from 15 to 15 March 2025.
The delegation held strategic meetings with senior political institutions, including ministers and heads of customs bodies, to assess measures to promote the free movement of goods and peoples. At the same time, it consulted with representatives of the private sector to understand their concerns and integrate their contributions into the process of strengthening regional trade.
As part of the mission, the delegation conducted a field trip to the Banjul-Farafenni corridor across the Senegabiya Bridge, an important infrastructure for regional connectivity. During the discussion, key issues related to trade transport were identified, including difficulties faced by the Gambia ETLS-approved products in terms of access to the Senegalese market and the challenges posed by the restrictions and harassment of the borders between the two countries.
In response, Dr. Chambas praised the cooperation and the spirit of the fraternity in the relationship between Gambia and Senegal, reflected in the regular meeting of the Gambia-Seniga Joint Committee. He stressed the need to strengthen dialogue and implement specific solutions, urging both sides to accelerate the automation of border customs posts and manage the interconnection system of cargo management (SIGMAT) in transportation to simplify and enhance the efficiency of trade flows between the two countries.
Furthermore, Dr. Chambas recommends the establishment of an immediate alert mechanism to quickly resolve trade disruptions, thereby providing a coordinated and effective response between road operators and competent authorities.
The mission peaked with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ETLS Task Force and the authorities in the Gambian and Senegal, representing an important step in the consolidation of regional trade integration in the ECOWAS space.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS).
