Boosting Intra-Regional Trade in ECOWAS: E-Commerce as a Tool for the Formalisation of Cross-Border Trade

Abstract

This paper explores the potential of e-commerce to formalize and boost intra-regional trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It examines the challenges of informal cross-border trade (ICBT) and proposes e-commerce as a tool to simplify trade processes, reduce corruption, and create market opportunities. The study highlights barriers such as limited technology infrastructure and literacy, while recommending policy interventions like a regional e-commerce protocol and border digitization to enhance trade formalization.