Technical Advisor at GIZ Nigeria

About the Position

This position offers a great opportunity for career growth within an international development organization supporting regional trade integration in West Africa.

Vacancy No: 097

The Project

Support to ECOWAS African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Project Background

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has become a major focus for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its member states. They are working to leverage their achievements at the regional level to negotiate and implement the AfCFTA in the most beneficial way possible.

The ECOWAS Commission plays a major role in preparing the operational instruments of the AfCFTA, such as common rules of origin and joint digital payment systems, and is also participating in some aspects of the negotiations on behalf of member states. It is important for ECOWAS to coordinate and harmonize its initiatives and efforts with the continental trade agenda.

Project Objectives

The GIZ AfCFTA project supports the ECOWAS Commission in its efforts, as well as in the implementation of the AfCFTA at the national level. Successful implementation of the AfCFTA in the ECOWAS region requires:

• A modern unified legal framework for cross-border trade
• Detailed implementation guidelines and accompanying measures
• Good cooperation among member countries
• Active partnerships with the private sector

Current Context

In recent years, regional cooperation has intensified through ECOWAS, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation and common customs legislation. However, the institutional and regulatory framework in the ECOWAS region is currently not sufficiently established for the successful negotiation and implementation of the AfCFTA.

The support project to ECOWAS toward AfCFTA implementation is funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and aims to support the ECOWAS Commission and member states in developing and instituting credible framework conditions for effective and beneficial implementation of AfCFTA protocols.