To commence the process for the establishment of the ECOWAS TPO Network, a consultative meeting of heads of TPOs from the ECOWAS region was convened with the support of ITC and the ECOWAS Commission. The event was held at Bon Hotel in Abuja Nigeria, on 20th and 21st November 2019. The meeting, pursued the following key objectives:
ITC, in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, worked with the technical task force in 2020 to develop preliminary documents relevant for the establishment of the network. The various materials were subsequently submitted for consideration by the heads of all ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organizations (and equivalent organizations where a TPO does not exist). The documents include the following (in alphabetical order).
During the course of the year a number of changes took place within the management structures of respective member organizations. Furthermore, the evolution of political events within the ECOWAS region has had some implications for the execution of the work of the Network by some members playing a leadership role within the Technical Committees.
The tenure of the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Awolowo as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) expired on 27th November 2021. Subsequently, Barr. Dr. Ezra Yakusak was appointed as the NEW CEO of NEPC. As the rules of the ECOWAS TPO Network state that the presidency is held by the elected “organization”, Dr Yakusak took over this leadership role in the Bureau.
Côte d’Ivoire revised its Trade Promotion institutional framework in February 2021. The Export Promotion Agency of Côte d’Ivoire, called “Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export” was established to replace the Association for the Promotion of Exports of Côte d’Ivoire (APEX- CI). The new Agency’s mission will be to enable the country respond effectively to evolving international trade requirements and optimise emerging opportunities to realise its export potential
The ECOWAS TPO Network Executive Bureau, with support of the ECOWAS Commission and ITC, undertook various actions pursuing the legal registration of the organization in Nigeria, the agreed headquarters
Following the resolution of the First General Assembly to ensure visibility of the Network, the Technical Committee on Communication and Marketing led work on the Branding and Visual Identity of the Network.
The first General Assembly tasked the Executive Bureau, to work directly with the Committee for Finance and Resource Mobilisation, to define a resource mobilization and partnership strategy. With the technical support of ECOWAS and ITC, a draft has been prepared.
As part of the Network’s efforts to connect with TPOs and regional TPO Networks from other parts the world, the Network participated in the 13th WTPO Conference held in Accra Ghana from 17th to 18th May. The event, which was hosted by the government of Ghana through the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, also offered Members an opportunity to exchange knowledge and good practices with peer organizations.
The Network held a series of meetings during the period, as part of its efforts to deliver on the priority activities defined in Section 2. These are described in the table below, and the minutes are provided as part of the Electronic Compendium of Documents.
First Consultative Meeting of the Heads of ECOWAS TPOs
Preparation of Technical Documents
2nd & 3rd Consultative Meeting of Heads of ECOWAS TPOs
Important Developments July 2021 to May 2022
IATF 2023 Cairo, Egypt
To commence the process for the establishment of the ECOWAS TPO Network, a consultative meeting of heads of TPOs from the ECOWAS region was convened with the support of ITC and the ECOWAS Commission. The event was held at Bon Hotel in Abuja Nigeria, on 20th and 21st November 2019. The meeting, pursued the following key objectives:
ITC, in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, worked with the technical task force in 2020 to develop preliminary documents relevant for the establishment of the network. The various materials were subsequently submitted for consideration by the heads of all ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organizations (and equivalent organizations where a TPO does not exist). The documents include the following (in alphabetical order).
During the course of the year a number of changes took place within the management structures of respective member organizations. Furthermore, the evolution of political events within the ECOWAS region has had some implications for the execution of the work of the Network by some members playing a leadership role within the Technical Committees.
The tenure of the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Awolowo as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) expired on 27th November 2021. Subsequently, Barr. Dr. Ezra Yakusak was appointed as the NEW CEO of NEPC. As the rules of the ECOWAS TPO Network state that the presidency is held by the elected “organization”, Dr Yakusak took over this leadership role in the Bureau.
Côte d’Ivoire revised its Trade Promotion institutional framework in February 2021. The Export Promotion Agency of Côte d’Ivoire, called “Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export” was established to replace the Association for the Promotion of Exports of Côte d’Ivoire (APEX- CI). The new Agency’s mission will be to enable the country respond effectively to evolving international trade requirements and optimise emerging opportunities to realise its export potential
The ECOWAS TPO Network Executive Bureau, with support of the ECOWAS Commission and ITC, undertook various actions pursuing the legal registration of the organization in Nigeria, the agreed headquarters
Following the resolution of the First General Assembly to ensure visibility of the Network, the Technical Committee on Communication and Marketing led work on the Branding and Visual Identity of the Network.
The first General Assembly tasked the Executive Bureau, to work directly with the Committee for Finance and Resource Mobilisation, to define a resource mobilization and partnership strategy. With the technical support of ECOWAS and ITC, a draft has been prepared.
As part of the Network’s efforts to connect with TPOs and regional TPO Networks from other parts the world, the Network participated in the 13th WTPO Conference held in Accra Ghana from 17th to 18th May. The event, which was hosted by the government of Ghana through the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, also offered Members an opportunity to exchange knowledge and good practices with peer organizations.
The Network held a series of meetings during the period, as part of its efforts to deliver on the priority activities defined in Section 2. These are described in the table below, and the minutes are provided as part of the Electronic Compendium of Documents.
First Consultative Meeting of the Heads of ECOWAS TPOs
Preparation of Technical Documents
2nd & 3rd Consultative Meeting of Heads of ECOWAS TPOs
Important Developments July 2021 to May 2022
IATF 2023 Cairo, Egypt
36 TPO staff trained by ITC, on Business Generation Methodology and Trade Promotion for staff of ECOWAS TPO Network, 23rd to 27th January, Abuja, Nigeria
11 participants from member TPOs participated in High-Level Stakeholder Meeting on Trade and Competitiveness, Intelligence Tools for West Africa Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 16-17th May 2023
The Network also experienced several changes among its members, with six (6) organizations having new leadership in place. The Executive Bureau also experienced some changes, when the APEX-CI was transformed into Agence Côte d’ivoire Export and Dr. Kaladji Fadiga was appointed as the new CEO taking over from Guy Ben M’bengue.
Following the inauguration of the new Executive Bureau and members of the Technical Committees, the International Trade Centre (ITC) organised an orientation and coaching for the new Executive Bureau to support the ECOWAS TPO Network operationalization. Series of training were organised for members of the Network (physical and virtual) to develop the capacity of members for the purpose of sustainability.
a. Virtual session of the Technical Committee on Trade Policies and Strategies on the implementing market research activity | 8th May, 2024 |
b. Virtual session of the Technical Committee on Communication and Marketing Committee | 7th May, 2024 |
c. Virtual meeting of Technical Committee on Trade Promotion Events | 8th May, 2024 |
d. Virtual meeting of the Technical Committee on Financial and Resource Mobilization | 7th May, 2024 |
e. Women Entrepreneur Trade Mission to Ghana | 23rd May, 2024 |
Following the successful registration of the Network, the Executive Bureau held, two virtual meetings to discuss the financial regulations of the Network and opening of a bank account. The Consultative meeting held on 19th December 2024 was held to consider the selection of preferred bank for the Network
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