Concept note: theme: “Implications of ECOWAS potential expansion and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)"

Abstract

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is the main regional economic community in West Africa. According to the African Union, ECOWAS is considered as one of the major regional economic communities whose contribution to the acceleration of the integration process of the continent is likely to have a considerable impact on areas such as trade, free movement of goods and persons and monetary matters. the ECA sub regional office for West Africa, in partnership with the government of Benin, ECOWAS and UEMOA, hold an ad hoc expert group meeting on the theme: “Implications of ECOWAS potential expansion and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”. The main objective of the meeting is to deepen scientific thought on the possible economic and socioeconomic implications of the expansion of ECOWAS. The meeting will assess the economic implications, especially in terms of trade flows and public revenues; Consider the implications for the well-being of the people ; Identify and discuss the main challenges for ECOWAS, and also for the countries joining the community; Review the potential implications of the ECOWAS expansion on the implementation of the AfCFTA ; Improve the preliminary findings of the draft ECA report and Formulate recommendations for an economic and socioeconomic expansion beneficial to all parties and for the entry into force of the AfCFTA.