Country: Senegal
Detailed Profile:
ASEPEX was created in 2000 under the Ministry of Commerce and focuses on enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of Senegalese exports. It has been instrumental in boosting exports to Africa and Europe.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Market studies and business environment analysis – Support for SMEs in international certification and branding – Participation in over 50 international trade events yearly – Business platform SENEXPORT.net for export services
Strategic Export Products: Fishery, mangoes, textiles, medical devices, IT services, and processed foods.
Country: The Gambia
Detailed Profile:
GIEPA was established in 2010 through the GIEPA Act. The agency is mandated to attract and facilitate investments and support exporters through targeted services. GIEPA reports to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
Export Support Functions: – National Export Strategy coordination – Export business registration and capacity building – Linkages to regional and international buyers – Technical assistance for trade documentation
Sectors Promoted: Groundnuts, cashew, fish, horticulture, handicrafts, tourism, and services.
Country: The Gambia
Detailed Profile:
GIEPA was established in 2010 through the GIEPA Act. The agency is mandated to attract and facilitate investments and support exporters through targeted services. GIEPA reports to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
Export Support Functions: – National Export Strategy coordination – Export business registration and capacity building – Linkages to regional and international buyers – Technical assistance for trade documentation
Sectors Promoted: Groundnuts, cashew, fish, horticulture, handicrafts, tourism, and services.
Country: Benin
Detailed Profile:
APIEx was created in 2017 and operates under the Presidency of the Republic. It facilitates foreign direct investment and supports Beninese exporters through regulatory simplification.
Export Functions: – Export documentation facilitation – Access to credit and tax incentives for exporters – Exporter directory and matchmaking portal
Strategic Export Products: Pineapple, cotton, cashew, soya, textiles, and shea butter.
Country: Ghana
Detailed Profile:
GEPA is Ghana’s lead institution responsible for the development and promotion of non-traditional exports. Established by Act 396 in 1969 and operating under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, GEPA plays a critical role in the national export strategy.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Export product development and packaging – Market research and intelligence – Exporter training and capacity building – Export documentation and regulatory compliance – International trade fair and mission facilitation
Strategic Export Products: Agriculture (mango, pineapple, cashew), handicrafts, processed foods, textiles, and cosmetics. GEPA has also launched the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) 2020-2029 to boost Ghana’s export earnings to USD 25.3 billion by 2029.
Country: Nigeria
Detailed Profile:
NEPC was established by the Nigerian Export Promotion Act of 1976 to coordinate and promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports. As Nigeria’s apex trade promotion agency, NEPC is central to national economic diversification efforts.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Zero Oil Plan: Reduces dependency on crude oil through strategic product and market diversification. – Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP): A COVID-19 recovery measure for exporters. – Export4Survival campaign: National awareness program to encourage SMEs to export.
Strategic Export Products and Services: Exporter registration, market linkages, trade fairs, business-to-business matchmaking, and training via the Export Assistance Program.
Country: Cabo Verde
Detailed Profile:
CV-Invest is Cabo Verde’s national investment and export promotion agency. It operates as a one-stop-shop for business services and export support.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Facilitates investment in export-led sectors like tourism, ICT, and fisheries – Provides technical assistance for market expansion – Manages public-private partnerships and incentive schemes
Strategic Export Products: Tuna, salt, volcanic wines, textiles, and tourism-related services.
Country: Guinea Bissau
Detailed Profile:
Export Promotion Agency operates under the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, working closely with the National Implementation Unit (NIU). It focuses on sectoral value chains (e.g. mango, fisheries) and export facilitation, aiming to improve the competitiveness and market access of Guinea‑Bissau’s products.
Country: Togo
Detailed Profile:
Togo is in the process of establishing an integrated investment and export promotion agency to support private sector growth. The structure is expected to merge existing trade and investment bodies.
Strategic Export Products and services: – Support SMEs in export development – Facilitate market access and financing – Promote industrial and agri-food exports
Country: Liberia
Detailed Profile:
Liberia currently lacks a standalone export promotion agency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Trade supports agricultural exports (e.g., rubber, cocoa, palm oil), while the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) offers export-related financing.
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
Country: Senegal
Detailed Profile:
ASEPEX was created in 2000 under the Ministry of Commerce and focuses on enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of Senegalese exports. It has been instrumental in boosting exports to Africa and Europe.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Market studies and business environment analysis – Support for SMEs in international certification and branding – Participation in over 50 international trade events yearly – Business platform SENEXPORT.net for export services
Strategic Export Products: Fishery, mangoes, textiles, medical devices, IT services, and processed foods.
Country: The Gambia
Detailed Profile:
GIEPA was established in 2010 through the GIEPA Act. The agency is mandated to attract and facilitate investments and support exporters through targeted services. GIEPA reports to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
Export Support Functions: – National Export Strategy coordination – Export business registration and capacity building – Linkages to regional and international buyers – Technical assistance for trade documentation
Sectors Promoted: Groundnuts, cashew, fish, horticulture, handicrafts, tourism, and services.
Country: The Gambia
Detailed Profile:
GIEPA was established in 2010 through the GIEPA Act. The agency is mandated to attract and facilitate investments and support exporters through targeted services. GIEPA reports to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
Export Support Functions: – National Export Strategy coordination – Export business registration and capacity building – Linkages to regional and international buyers – Technical assistance for trade documentation
Sectors Promoted: Groundnuts, cashew, fish, horticulture, handicrafts, tourism, and services.
Country: Benin
Detailed Profile:
APIEx was created in 2017 and operates under the Presidency of the Republic. It facilitates foreign direct investment and supports Beninese exporters through regulatory simplification.
Export Functions: – Export documentation facilitation – Access to credit and tax incentives for exporters – Exporter directory and matchmaking portal
Strategic Export Products: Pineapple, cotton, cashew, soya, textiles, and shea butter.
Country: Ghana
Detailed Profile:
GEPA is Ghana’s lead institution responsible for the development and promotion of non-traditional exports. Established by Act 396 in 1969 and operating under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, GEPA plays a critical role in the national export strategy.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Export product development and packaging – Market research and intelligence – Exporter training and capacity building – Export documentation and regulatory compliance – International trade fair and mission facilitation
Strategic Export Products: Agriculture (mango, pineapple, cashew), handicrafts, processed foods, textiles, and cosmetics. GEPA has also launched the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) 2020-2029 to boost Ghana’s export earnings to USD 25.3 billion by 2029.
Country: Nigeria
Detailed Profile:
NEPC was established by the Nigerian Export Promotion Act of 1976 to coordinate and promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports. As Nigeria’s apex trade promotion agency, NEPC is central to national economic diversification efforts.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Zero Oil Plan: Reduces dependency on crude oil through strategic product and market diversification. – Export Expansion Facility Programme (EEFP): A COVID-19 recovery measure for exporters. – Export4Survival campaign: National awareness program to encourage SMEs to export.
Strategic Export Products and Services: Exporter registration, market linkages, trade fairs, business-to-business matchmaking, and training via the Export Assistance Program.
Country: Cabo Verde
Detailed Profile:
CV-Invest is Cabo Verde’s national investment and export promotion agency. It operates as a one-stop-shop for business services and export support.
Key Initiatives and Main Activities: – Facilitates investment in export-led sectors like tourism, ICT, and fisheries – Provides technical assistance for market expansion – Manages public-private partnerships and incentive schemes
Strategic Export Products: Tuna, salt, volcanic wines, textiles, and tourism-related services.
Country: Guinea Bissau
Detailed Profile:
Export Promotion Agency operates under the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, working closely with the National Implementation Unit (NIU). It focuses on sectoral value chains (e.g. mango, fisheries) and export facilitation, aiming to improve the competitiveness and market access of Guinea‑Bissau’s products.
Country: Togo
Detailed Profile:
Togo is in the process of establishing an integrated investment and export promotion agency to support private sector growth. The structure is expected to merge existing trade and investment bodies.
Strategic Export Products and services: – Support SMEs in export development – Facilitate market access and financing – Promote industrial and agri-food exports
Country: Liberia
Detailed Profile:
Liberia currently lacks a standalone export promotion agency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Trade supports agricultural exports (e.g., rubber, cocoa, palm oil), while the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI) offers export-related financing.
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
The ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisaions (TPO) Network serves as the regional hub for trade development across West Africa.
Get monthly insights on ECOWAS TPO Network programs, trade tools, and regional opportunities
Designed by Crempact
Copyright © ECOWAS TPO Network 2025. All rights reserved.