Faced with the persistent weakness of intra-regional trade in West Africa - which accounts for only around 15% of the value of total trade in the ECOWAS region - regional players are stepping up their efforts to remove the non-tariff barriers that impede the free flow of trade. Against this backdrop, an awareness-raising workshop on the Harmonised Phytosanitary Certificate (HPC) and other Community instruments was organised in Dakar by ECOWAS, with the support of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) in Senegal.
The workshop, held from 20 to 23 May and attended by traders, phytosanitary inspectors, border authorities and institutional partners, aimed to popularise the use of the CPH, the cornerstone of the free movement of agricultural products within the EU. It is part of the regional dynamic promoted by the FSRP through its component dedicated to the integration of food markets.
"A number of obstacles stand in the way of intra-regional trade, including complex administrative procedures, redundant inspection requirements and inconsistent regulations. The harmonised phytosanitary certificate aims to simplify and secure this trade", emphasised Mouhamadou Lamine Dia, national coordinator of the FSRP-Senegal.
A strategic tool for regional integration
The harmonised phytosanitary certificate, drawn up in accordance with international standards, meets a dual challenge: protecting consumer health and facilitating the movement of agricultural products through the region's trade corridors. It is a response to the obstacles posed by the lack of mutual recognition of health documents between Member States.
"This certificate, coupled with a regional health inspection guide, will make it possible to unify practices between inspectors, ensure the quality of products and guarantee their free movement", explained Justin Bayili, consultant at the ECOWAS Commission.
In addition to this tool, the FSRP is also supporting the introduction of a regional agricultural trade scoreboard, designed to improve the monitoring of trade flows and guide strategic decisions. The aim is clear: to reduce costs, shorten border crossing times and boost the competitiveness of the agro-sylvo-pastoral sectors.
Stakeholder involvement: a prerequisite for success
The success of this initiative depends on the tools being taken on board by those primarily concerned: traders, transporters, inspectors and border authorities. For Mbaye Chimère Ndiaye, Secretary General of the Dakar Chamber of Commerce, "the harmonisation of health documents is a major competitive lever for economic operators". He called for a collective effort to make the CPH a real catalyst for regional trade.
The FSRP is thus pursuing its mission of strengthening the resilience of food systems through regional integration. By removing barriers to the movement of agricultural products, the programme is helping to increase market access, improve food security and stimulate inclusive economic growth in the ECOWAS region.
