Countries and regions

West Africa

The EU has initialed an Economic Partnership Agreement with 16 West African states; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Until the adoption of the full regional EPA with West Africa, 'stepping stone' Economic Partnership Agreements with Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana entered into provisional application on 3 September 2016 and 15 December 2016 respectively.

Trade picture

West Africa is the EU's largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. The EU is West Africa's biggest trading partner.

The EU is the main export market for West African transformed products (fisheries, agribusiness, textiles, etc.).

West Africa's exports to the EU consist mainly of fuels and food products.

West Africa's imports from the EU consist of fuels, food products, machinery, and chemicals and pharmaceutical products.

EU – West Africa trade in services is expanding, covering notably transportation and logistics, travel, and business services.

West Africa is the most important investment destination for the EU in Africa.

EU-West Africa: Trade in goods Trade in goods 2017-2019, € billions Year EU imports EU exports Balance 2017 22.8 25.6 2.8 2018 29.7 28.4 -1.3 2019 31.3 28.9 -2.4 Unless otherwise mentioned “EU” concerns for all indicated years the current European Union of 27 Member States. Date of retrieval: 22/04/2020 More statistics on West Africa

EU and West Africa

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with West Africa covers goods and development cooperation. The EPA also includes the possibility to hold further negotiations on sustainable development, services, investment and other trade-related issues in the future.

The EPA will

help West Africa to integrate better into the global trading system and will support investment and economic growth in the region.

increase West African exports to the EU

stimulate investment and contribute to developing productive capacity, with a positive effect on employment.

Both parties have started to design together a monitoring mechanism (available in French) for the implementation of the EPA.

All the countries in West Africa are members of the WTO.

More details on the tariff aspects of the EPA

Shade BEMBATOUM YOUNG, CEO of African Sustainable SME Export Trade Solutions (ASSETS) - Testimonial

Alhaji Sani DANGOTE, Vice President of Dangote Group - Testimonial

Jean-Louis MENUIDIER, Chairman of Uniwax - Testimonial

West Africa - European Union: Economic Partnership Agreement



Let's focus on the facts! West Africa – European Union Economic Partnership Agreement

Subtitles available in French and Portuguese

Meetings and documents on implementation

Both parties meet regularly to discuss EPA implementation. For more information, please consult:

Trading with West Africa