Trade potential in West Africa is significant, and the ITC West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) has created a Business Matchmaking platform to help entrepreneurs connect with potential trading partners in the region.
A recent workshop in Freetown, Sierra Leone educated trade groups from Nigeria, Gambia, Liberia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone on how to utilize the platform. They were taught how to verify company listings, create professional product photos, and write descriptions that appeal to potential partners.
This workshop is a crucial step in linking businesses within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Trade promotion organizations from the five countries also updated their profiles on the platform.
Edward Sandy, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone National Investment Board, emphasized the importance of the WACOMP Business Matchmaking platform in facilitating cross-border connections and expanding networks. He stated that the future of trade in West Africa is digital and begins with this platform.
Participants at the workshop learned about using artificial intelligence tools to create engaging texts, logos, and visuals for their businesses. They were also taught how to assist firms in creating compelling profiles on the matchmaking platform.
Obidike Evelyn Ifeyinwa, Director of Product Development at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, praised the workshop for equipping trade promotion organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance regional trade.
The workshop included a segment on e-commerce photography, where attendees learned to take professional-quality product photos using smartphones. These hands-on activities demonstrated how businesses can improve their digital presence without expensive equipment.
Overall, the workshop was a significant step in the WACOMP Observatory’s mission to enhance trade competitiveness in West Africa. As trade groups return to their countries, they can now assist small businesses in leveraging the WACOMP Business Matchmaking Platform to seize new opportunities in the regional market.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.