Ghana to host 5th ECOWAS Trade and Industry Ministers Meeting

Ghana and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have announced the Fifth Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5), scheduled to take place in Accra from June 11 to 12, 2026.

The announcement was made during a press briefing addressed by ECOWAS Director of Trade Kolawole A. Sofola; Executive Director Dr Simeon K. Koffi of ECOWAS; Director of Industry Kofi Addo; and Director of Trade Development Ebo Quayson of Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.

The speakers explained that the meeting comes at a crucial time as the global trade and investment landscape continues to evolve due to changes in multilateral trade governance, continental integration efforts, bilateral trade agreements, and growing competition for foreign direct investment. They stressed the need for coordinated regional responses to safeguard the economic interests of ECOWAS member states.

During the two-day meeting, ministers will consider reports and recommendations from trade, industry, investment, and competition experts. Discussions will focus on the outcomes of the 14th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (MC14), implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), trade facilitation measures, elimination of non-tariff barriers, and the ECOWAS Common Market Roadmap.

The ministers will also review the region’s trade relations with key international partners, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and China. Officials noted that maintaining a unified regional trade policy is essential to preserving the ECOWAS Customs Union and the Common External Tariff.

On investment and industrial development, participants will examine strategies to accelerate industrialisation, strengthen manufacturing capacity, and operationalise the ECOWAS Common Investment Market (ECIM) to attract greater foreign direct investment.

The meeting will further consider measures to strengthen competition regulation and consumer protection frameworks across the region.

ECOMOTI-5 is expected to bring together trade and industry ministers, senior ECOWAS and UEMOA officials, and representatives of regional and international organisations.

The summit will conclude with the adoption of key policy decisions and recommendations aimed at advancing regional economic integration, promoting trade and investment, and fostering sustainable economic growth across West Africa.