ECOWAS seeks wider African market access for fisheries under AfCFTA

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is intensifying efforts for wider African market access for fisheries and aquaculture products under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mr Christopher Mensah-Yawson, Acting Principal Programme Officer for Trade Facilitation and Development at the ECOWAS Commission, said this at a regional workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the AfCFTA Secretariat, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and TradeMark Africa (TMA), to empower women and youth in fisheries value chains.

Mensah-Yawson said all ECOWAS member states had signed the AfCFTA agreement, creating opportunities for increased intra-African trade, market expansion and stronger regional economic integration.

“All our member states have signed AfCFTA, and the essence is for us to get more market access for the things we are trading.

“We want to make sure those dealing in fisheries and aquaculture can have access to African markets outside the ECOWAS markets,” he said.

Mensah-Yawson said the workshop focused on helping fisheries and aquaculture operators’ access markets beyond the sub-region, while engaging stakeholders to identify challenges and develop practical solutions.

According to him, the forum will also give special attention to women and youth because of their critical role across the fisheries value chain.

“About 49 per cent of our West African population are women, and the fisheries sector is dominated by women traders.

“Many women operate as small-scale cross-border traders, processors and entrepreneurs in the largely informal fisheries economy.

“Empowering women through training, resources and market access will strengthen households and communities,” he said.

Fatima Mahmood, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, described fisheries and aquaculture as strategic sectors capable of boosting food security and jobs.

Mahmood, represented by Ms Angela Uzoamaka-Okereke, a Director in the ministry, commended AfCFTA, ECOWAS and other stakeholders for promoting inclusive growth through programmes supporting women and youth participation.

“The gathering will deepen dialogue, partnerships and practical actions for inclusive regional fisheries development.

“Women and youth remain indispensable actors in fish production, processing, preservation, distribution and marketing across Nigeria and the wider West African region.

“Women dominate post-harvest fisheries activities, while youths are increasingly driving innovation, investment and expansion in aquaculture and related services,” she said.

Mahmood, however, identified limited finance, poor infrastructure, market barriers, post-harvest losses and weak formal trade integration as major constraints confronting operators in the sector.

According to her, the challenges must be addressed collectively if the region is to unlock the sector’s full potential under AfCFTA opportunities.

The permanent secretary stressed the need for harmonised standards, stronger sanitary systems, efficient trade processes and digital tools to improve regional market access and competitiveness.

She reiterated the ministry’s commitment to repositioning fisheries and aquaculture as key pillars of Nigeria’s economy through sustainable production and value addition.

She also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with regional institutions, development partners and private investors to build a resilient fisheries sector.

Ms Anataria Uwamariya, the Director of Business Competitiveness at TradeMark Africa (TMA), said the organisation was seeking collaboration to enhance fisheries trade across the continent.

She said that integrating all countries would help actualise the AfCFTA agreement within the fisheries value chain and unlock broader continental opportunities.

“The programme is currently a pilot scheme involving five East African countries and Nigeria as the only participating West African country.

“We see Nigeria as a key anchor for fisheries trade within the ECOWAS region and are looking to understand the sector better.

“This is to enable us scale up the programme and take advantage of opportunities across other ECOWAS countries,” she said.

Uwamariya said the programme aimed to generate more than 280,000 jobs for women and youth, with over half expected from West Africa.

She added that the organisation was also studying fish trade routes, including imports into Nigeria and exports to other ECOWAS countries.

“Although the current AfCFTA investment is in Nigeria, it is important that other countries also benefit from the programme,” she said.