ECOWAS Launches E-Trade Reform Tracker to Boost E-Commerce Oversight

 In a major step toward streamlining and enhancing the region’s digital trade ecosystem, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with technical support from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), conducted a comprehensive e-Trade Reform Tracker (eTRT) training on Monday, July 14, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The workshop aimed to bolster the region’s capacity for monitoring, coordination, and accountability in the implementation of e-commerce reforms under the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy (ECS).

The e-Trade Reform Tracker, or eTRT, is a cutting-edge digital tool developed to assist implementing agencies in tracking progress, streamlining inter-agency coordination, and generating real-time, reliable data critical for effective policy execution and evaluation.

Equipping ECOWAS for Digital Transformation

The training brought together focal points and technical representatives from key directorates within the ECOWAS Commission, including:

• Trade

• Free Movement of Persons and Migration

• Customs Union and Taxation

• Private Sector

• Macroeconomic Stability and Multilateral Surveillance

• Communications

Also in attendance were representatives from specialized institutions such as the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), the ECOWAS Gender Development Center, and the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Center. This broad participation reflected the cross-sectoral relevance of e-commerce reforms in driving West Africa’s digital economy forward.

The session served as an opportunity to familiarize stakeholders with the structure and functionalities of the eTRT platform, while also emphasizing the importance of sustained engagement and cross-departmental collaboration in the rollout of regional e-commerce initiatives.

Strategic Remarks: Aligning with the ECOWAS E-Commerce Vision

Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of Madame Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Kolawole Sofola, Director of Trade at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the Tracker’s transformative potential.

“This session offers a hands-on opportunity to explore how the Tracker works, how it can be used to streamline internal and inter-departmental coordination, and how it can help generate reliable data for monitoring and evaluation,” said Sofola.

He added that the session marks a pivotal moment as ECOWAS prepares for the operationalization of the Regional E-Commerce Committee, the overarching governance structure for regional e-commerce oversight. The eTRT tool is expected to be central to this new governance framework, enabling more responsive and informed decision-making.

Sofola urged participants to engage actively in the training and to envision how the tool could be adapted and utilized within their respective mandates.

“I am confident that today’s training will equip us with a shared understanding of how to work smarter, together, to deliver the ambitions of the ECOWAS E-Commerce Strategy.”

Advancing Implementation Through Innovation

The eTRT workshop focused on the practical application of the tool, allowing participants to explore its interactive dashboards, reporting functions, and real-time analytics features. By institutionalizing the use of eTRT, ECOWAS aims to ensure that the implementation of its E-Commerce Strategy is transparent, measurable, and inclusive.

One of the key objectives of the training was to promote the regular use of the eTRT in following up on ECS implementation and to strengthen internal coordination among the various directorates and technical bodies tasked with delivering on the digital trade agenda.

The tracker will be instrumental in helping ECOWAS:

• Monitor the progress of regional digital policy actions.

• Identify bottlenecks and implementation delays.

• Improve inter-agency communication and accountability.

• Generate data-driven insights to support evidence-based policy adjustments.

Toward a Digitally Integrated West Africa

ECOWAS’s embrace of tools like the eTRT comes at a time when digital commerce is playing an increasingly vital role in global and regional economic growth. With the rise of online marketplaces, fintech innovation, and cross-border digital trade, West African countries are under pressure to modernize regulations, improve digital infrastructure, and facilitate secure and inclusive access to e-commerce platforms.

The Regional E-Commerce Strategy—under which this training falls—is designed to address these needs by:

• Harmonizing digital trade policies across member states.

• Enhancing regulatory coherence and private sector engagement.

• Promoting digital entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth.

• Strengthening the foundations for cross-border e-commerce integration within the ECOWAS region.

Looking Ahead: Building Digital Capacity for the Future

As ECOWAS accelerates the implementation of its E-Commerce Strategy, the deployment of digital governance tools like the eTRT will be crucial in building an agile, efficient, and inclusive digital economy. The success of this workshop lays the groundwork for greater institutional capacity, regional cooperation, and accountable progress tracking.

With robust support from partners like UNCTAD, and growing political and technical will within ECOWAS institutions, the region is poised to make significant strides in digital trade reform and regional market integration in the years to come.