Post: Strengthening Regional Integration: Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Holds High-Level Dialogue and Sensitisationat Noépé-Akanu Joint Border Post

Kinshasa: The ECOWAS Commission on August 13, 2026, engaged border officials, cross-border traders, transporters, and other key stakeholders, including women and youth from Benin, Ghana, and Togo, in a High-Level Dialogue and Sensitisation at the Noépé-Akanu Joint Border Post (JBP) between Togo and Ghana, along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor. The objective was to further strengthen the implementation of regional integration instruments on the free movement of persons, goods, and services, as well as trade and transport facilitation.According to African Press Organization, the dialogue provided Sector Directors and Officials from the ECOWAS Commission - Free Movement, Trade, Brown Card Insurance, Transport, Transit, and Customs, an opportunity to share insights on community texts and good practices towards the facilitation of border crossing and intra-regional trade, including informal trade. Discussions highlighted key ECOWAS initiatives, such as the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), SIGMAT, Join t Border Posts, and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, while addressing challenges affecting cross-border mobility and trade.Torgbi Harvey of Noépé, speaking on behalf of the traditional Chiefs of Noépé and Akanu, stressed the need for ECOWAS Member States to implement joint facilitation measures to enhance the benefits of regional integration and free movement for the development of the region, including transporters and entrepreneurs.Captain Agniba Essoiezam, Head of the Division of Operations of Customs of the Togolese Republic and Head of the Joint Task Force of the Noépé-Akanu JBP, underlined the dialogue's importance in strengthening understanding of ECOWAS instruments on free movement, the right of residence and establishment, transit arrangements, and the SIGMAT customs system.Dr. Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, reaffirmed ECOWAS's commitment to deepening regional integration and facilitating free movement along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor. He described the Noépé -Akanu Joint Border Post as a practical example of integration in action and called for an end to delays, cumbersome procedures, informal payments, and harassment at borders. He urged stronger sensitisation on free movement rights and wider use of the ECOWAS regional biometric identity card.Mr. Dermane Tajudini, speaking on behalf of the Togolese Minister of Transport, noted that integration should be measured by the ease of cross-border movement rather than the number of protocols adopted. He identified key challenges such as road harassment, unofficial checkpoints, and high logistics costs and called for greater digitalisation of border procedures and harmonised regional standards.H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to strengthening free movement and cross-border transport facilitation. She described the corridor as a critical economic artery for West Africa and called for improved border management, digitalisation, and harmonis ed procedures to reduce delays and transport costs.The engagement is part of several efforts by the ECOWAS Commission to strengthen cooperation among border authorities and stakeholders, improve awareness and application of ECOWAS frameworks, and promote regional transport and transit facilitation mechanisms. Practical feedback and recommendations were received to make cross-border movement and trade more secure, efficient, and predictable, particularly for women and youth, contributing to the advancement of the ECOWAS regional integration agenda.