Ministers of Trade and Industry from member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have met in Accra, Ghana, to forge a unified regional response to emerging global and continental economic challenges.
The Fifth Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5), held from June 11 to 12, 2026, was convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture.
The meeting was designed to provide high-level political direction, validate expert recommendations, and take strategic decisions on trade, industry, investment, competition policy and consumer protection across the sub-region.
According to the ECOWAS Commission, the gathering comes at a crucial moment as West Africa intensifies efforts to deepen regional integration and drive sustainable economic growth in the face of shifting global economic conditions.
The ministerial session followed detailed technical discussions by experts drawn from member states, who analysed key issues around trade facilitation, industrial development, investment promotion and competition frameworks.
Participants reviewed the expert reports and explored practical measures to improve economic cooperation, enhance the competitiveness of regional industries, and expand intra-regional trade within the ECOWAS bloc.
The outcomes of ECOMOTI-5 are expected to shape future policy direction aimed at strengthening regional value chains, boosting industrialisation, and advancing the broader goal of economic integration across West Africa.
