Customs administrations from four pilot ECOWAS member states – Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal – are meeting in Abidjan from March 3 to 5, 2026 to discuss the modalities for implementing the self-certification mechanism of community origin in the region, under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).
The Trade Liberalization Scheme remains the central instrument for promoting the free movement of goods produced within the community. It is also a key lever for enhancing economic integration and supporting regional development, in line with Article 3 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty.
Since its establishment in the 1990s, this mechanism has continuously evolved to adapt to the changing needs of member states and the private sector, particularly in the context of rapid transformation in international trade.
