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. 

a.  Change of Leadership in the Office of the President of the ECOWAS TPO Network

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. 

b. Changes to TPO Models among Member Organizations

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

a. Legal Registration of the ECOWAS TPO Network

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

b. Branding and Visual Identity

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.

c.  Definition of the ECOWAS TPO Network Workplan for the period 2022 to 2023

d.  Establishment of Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy

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. 

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        Participation at the 13th World Trade Promotion Organizations (WTPO) Network Conference, 17th and 18th May 2022, Accra Ghana

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.