By Omar Bah
In line with his mandate to promote regional trade integration, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Chairman of the Ecowas Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) Task Force, led a high-level delegation to The Gambia and Senegal from March 9 to 15, 2025. The mission’s purpose was to identify and address obstacles to intra-community trade among Ecowas Member States.
The delegation conducted strategic meetings with high-level political authorities, including ministers and heads of customs agencies, to evaluate the measures in place that facilitate the free movement of goods and people. Additionally, they consulted with private sector representatives to understand their concerns and incorporate their input into initiatives to strengthen regional trade.
As part of the mission, the delegation visited the Banjul-Farafenni corridor, which crosses the Senegambia Bridge and serves as vital infrastructure for regional connectivity. During their discussions, they identified critical issues related to trade transit, such as the difficulties faced by Gambia’s ETLS-approved products in accessing the Senegalese market and challenges caused by restrictions and harassment at the border between the two countries.
Dr. Chambas highlighted the strong cooperative relationship between The Gambia and Senegal, exemplified by the Gambia-Senegal Joint Commission’s regular meetings. He stressed the need for enhanced dialogue and practical solutions, including the automation of border customs posts and the implementation of the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) to improve trade efficiency. Additionally, he recommended establishing an alert mechanism to promptly address trade disruptions, enabling coordinated responses from road operators and authorities.
The mission concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the ETLS Task Force and the authorities of The Gambia and Senegal, marking a significant advance in consolidating regional trade integration within the Ecowas framework.
