During a joint mission at the Noé–Elubo border on 12 June 2025
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have taken a significant step toward improving cross-border trade efficiency with the validation of a major study on Coordinated Border Management (CBM). This occurred during a joint mission held at the Noé–Elubo border on 12 June 2025.
The high-level engagement brought together officials from Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, TradeMark Africa (TMA), and several regional and international development partners. They reviewed findings from the CBM study, which proposes a raft of reforms to enhance the movement of goods and people between the two countries.
Commissioned by TradeMark Africa, the study supports broader regional efforts to reduce trade costs and improve logistics. These improvements will facilitate the storage, aggregation, and processing of cereals for export. The study’s recommendations centre on boosting inter-agency coordination, digitising border processes, and simplifying customs procedures at the borders.
The mission featured two components: a technical validation workshop, where stakeholders reviewed and endorsed the study’s proposals, and field visits to the Noé and Elubo border posts. These visits allowed participants to assess the quality of the infrastructure, operational challenges, and border flow dynamics, while identifying opportunities for harmonisation across both sides of the border.
An aerial view of Elubo border area.
“Integrated border management is not a choice but a necessity if we are to realise the goals of the AfCFTA and support secure, inclusive, and competitive trade,” said Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, during the culmination of the mission.
TradeMark Africa’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Allen Asiimwe, stated that TMA was committed to supporting partner states to implement targeted trade facilitation reforms. This commitment includes investments in soft and hard infrastructure, as well as regional coordination frameworks.
Development partners present lauded the collaborative effort and expressed strong support for implementation, pledging financial and technical assistance to bring the study’s recommendations to life. The Noé–Elubo corridor, which is now being positioned as a model for efficient, modern border management across West Africa, is an important trade gateway between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
