SRO-WA conducts AGOA surveys in Niger, Guinea, Mali, Liberia and The Gambia

Gathering the information needed for a study in preparation for the AGOA Forum in Zambia.

Within the framework of a study conducted by ECA in partnership with the AU Commission, a number of countries were targeted for a survey on AGOA (Africa Growth and Opportunity Act). AGOA is an initiative of the US Department of Commerce launched in 2000 to support and boost growth in Africa by opening up new business opportunities for sub-Saharan African countries.

As far as West Africa is concerned, the survey targeted Niger, Mali, Guinea, Liberia and The Gambia. The exercise consisted in collecting in these five countries all relevant information and data on AGOA in preparation for the AGOA Forum scheduled for June 2011 in Zambia. Technically, the survey revealed that most companies in sub-Saharan Africa lack the human, financial and technical capacities needed to properly export their goods to the US. Companies are as well facing the challenge of overcoming the heavy pressure of deadlines and meeting quality standards. The solution for most of them is to seek ways and means of joining forces in order to produce substantial volumes. The studies were carried out by Mr. Nassirou Ba for Guinea and Mali, Mr. Joseph Foumbi and Mrs. Selamawit Abebe for Niger and Mr. Mzwanele Mfunwa for Liberia and The Gambia.