On 23 June 2026, the WACTAF officially launched in Cotonou a regional training workshop for its National Focal Points on the Road Fluidity digital application. The meeting brings together representatives from several countries to strengthen their capacities on this digital tool designed to improve the fluidity of trade corridors and facilitate cross-border trade.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the representative of the Benin Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, in the presence of the Chairman of the WACTAF Board of Directors, the Permanent Secretary of the organization, representatives of AGRA, and several technical and institutional partners.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the WACTAF Board of Directors expressed his gratitude to the Government of Benin for hosting the regional workshop, commending the country’s continued commitment to regional integration, cooperation among peoples, and the promotion of smoother and more competitive trade exchanges within the regional community.
He also thanked participants from across the region as well as the partners supporting WACTAF in implementing its initiatives. Special recognition was given to AGRA for its financial and technical support through the project aimed at strengthening the participation of women and youth in cross-border trade in West Africa.
At the heart of his address, the Chairman highlighted the strategic importance of the Road Fluidity application. According to him, the tool reflects WACTAF’s determination to place innovation and digital transformation at the service of cross-border trade. The application will make it possible to better monitor trade flows, document obstacles encountered along trade corridors, and generate reliable data to support advocacy efforts and informed decision-making.
The effectiveness of this tool will depend above all on its ownership by its users,
he stressed, calling on National Focal Points to fully assume their operational role in collecting, processing, and transmitting information related to barriers affecting cross-border trade.
Throughout the workshop, participants will benefit from theoretical sessions, practical demonstrations, and hands-on exercises on the platform in order to master all its functionalities. The training aims to equip National Focal Points with the skills required to effectively monitor reported incidents and contribute to the sustainable improvement of road corridor fluidity across the region.
