Established in 1976, the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) brings together the consular institutions of the 15 ECOWAS member states. As the voice of the regional private sector, it works to strengthen economic integration by facilitating trade, investment and partnerships between economic actors. Its Executive Director, Aminou Akadiri, sets out his vision for accelerating the momentum of intra-African trade.
From 15 to 19 June 2026, The Gambia hosted a strategic forum organised by the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) and ECOWAS with the aim of strengthening the private sector’s role in regional integration. Whilst official intra-regional trade still accounts for only 10 to 15 per cent of total trade, FEWACCI aims to make chambers of commerce a driving force for growth. To this end, Aminou Akadiri, Executive Director of FEWACCI, is calling for an intensification of regional trade and a strengthening of the productive sector – two essential drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth.
“For me, an Africa without borders is an Africa where citizens have the freedom to move, settle, set up businesses and trade without obstacles from one country to another. This is already, to a large extent, the reality we experience in West Africa, and it is this model that we wish to see extended across the entire continent.”
Aminou AKADIRI, Director of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) – Benin
With a history spanning 50 years, FEWACCI brings together the chambers of commerce of ECOWAS countries to help them adapt their activities to economic and technological changes. In a region where nearly 80 per cent of traders still operate in the informal sector, experts are calling for a reduction in customs barriers and non-tariff barriers in order to facilitate trade, stimulate intra-regional trade and accelerate West Africa’s economic integration.
“How do we move from theory to concrete action? We believe that, at the level of chambers of commerce and professional federations, the next fifty years must be devoted to capacity-building. The aim will be to enable economic operators to organise themselves more effectively, work together, co-create and co-invest.”
Aminou AKADIRI, Director of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) – Benin
Despite the establishment of a common market, intra-regional trade within ECOWAS remains low, held back by structural constraints. However, agricultural and informal trade, estimated at nearly $10 billion, remains an economic driver for a market of over 400 million consumers. Driven by 5.1 per cent growth and a GDP of $686 billion, West Africa nevertheless retains strong potential for economic integration.
“What we need today is to create the conditions for several Dangotes to emerge in our region. This means encouraging the creation of joint ventures, in which ECOWAS citizens can invest together, pool their skills, co-create and build projects capable of addressing the major challenges we face. Youth unemployment, for example, can be tackled through economic cooperation, innovation and co-creation. Similarly, in the face of food security challenges, we have the resources and capacity needed to produce more for our people. We have the opportunity to make the most of our wealth and put it fully at the service of our societies’ development.”
Aminou AKADIRI, Director of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) – Benin
For the OECD’s Sahel and West Africa Club, trade is a key driver of development in West Africa. It provides a livelihood for nearly 80 million people and supports millions of jobs in agriculture and commerce. However, nearly 80 per cent of these trade flows remain informal, limiting their contribution to regional integration. To enhance their impact, experts recommend removing barriers to trade in order to stimulate intra-regional trade, accelerate economic integration and support sustainable growth.
