By Jane Salihu
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across West Africa are set to gain fresh opportunities for regional and continental market penetration as the ECOWAS Parliament prepares to host a virtual onboarding session on digital trade and market access.
The African Trade Gateway (ATG) SME Onboarding Session, organised under the West Africa SME Trade Facilitation and Market Access Programme (WATMAP), is scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (WAT) via Zoom.
The initiative is aimed at helping businesses leverage digital platforms to access new markets, obtain trade intelligence, and enhance their competitiveness within Africa’s expanding trade landscape.
With the theme, “Leveraging Digital Trade Platforms for Market Access, Trade Intelligence, and SME Growth Across Africa,” the webinar will provide participants with practical insights on how to utilize technology-driven trade solutions to scale their operations beyond national borders.
The session is being facilitated by the Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO) with the support of the ECOWAS Parliament as part of activities commemorating the Parliament’s 25th anniversary.
Target participants include exporters, women-led enterprises, SMEs and MSMEs, agribusiness operators, manufacturers, service providers, trade associations, and businesses seeking to explore opportunities under regional and continental trade frameworks.
Organisers said interested businesses are expected to possess a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Certificate of Incorporation, a Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Export Certificate, and a valid email address to participate in the onboarding process.
The programme is expected to strengthen cross-border commerce by connecting enterprises to digital trade platforms that offer market information, trade facilitation services, and access to customers across Africa.
Stakeholders believe the initiative will further support the growth of indigenous businesses and enhance their ability to benefit from emerging opportunities under Africa’s evolving trade architecture.
