Accra: Burkina Faso relies on trade with Ghana to access the sea, facilitating the export of its minerals and cotton. However, bureaucratic hurdles have historically slowed border crossings. More concerningly, since the emergence of an insurgency a decade ago, traders, particularly women, have faced threats of hijackings and theft.
According to African Press Organization, efforts to improve safety and operations at the Paga-Dakola border have been underway, with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and its partners conducting an 18-month study of the crossing. The study’s proposed reforms have been endorsed in a series of meetings, aiming to enhance the efficiency of this vital trade corridor. Due to rising insurgency threats, traffic at the Paga-Dakola border has increased as traders divert their shipments away from regions held by insurgents.
The ITC, through the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme (EAT), collaborated with the ECOWAS Commission, German development agency GIZ, and national authorities to c
arry out the study. This initiative took place amidst significant regional changes, including Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form a new alliance with Mali and Niger, raising concerns about future trade policies and regional cooperation.
Despite these challenges, businesses remain committed to strengthening cross-border trade. On March 3, 2025, the Ghana Shippers Authority and ITC convened over 20 experts to review the study. Participants included ECOWAS officials, policymakers, customs officials, business leaders, and development partners. They commended the success of Burkina Faso’s Trade Portal (BurkTP), which provides detailed guidance on export and import processes. Ghana was encouraged to develop a similar system, offering support for transport services and multilingual information. Additionally, Burkina Faso’s Virtual Linkage System for Import and Export Operations (SYLVIE), which has improved customs processes, was encouraged to enhance its fle
xibility and include agrifood product costs.
A regional consultation held in Accra on March 6 and 7, 2025, highlighted 18 of the study’s 78 recommendations as priorities. These include improved agency coordination, digital tools, corridor security, and support for traders, particularly women. Moving forward, targeted reforms focusing on security, management, and access to trade information could transform Paga-Dakola into a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trade hub, resilient to the region’s evolving dynamics.