This paper brings to focus the evidence of the possible impacts of the EPA on the countries in the ECOWAS region (West Africa). The paper presents an overview of the structure of ECOWAS economies, reviews the regional integration agreements in West Africa and discusses the main phases of the EPA negotiations. The author argues that coping with various challenges relating to EPA negotiations and its implementation require that specific attention must be given to the issue of industrialization and export response capacity of the sub-region if it is to achieve its development objectives since these are closely correlated. Finally, the relatively high income and price elasticities of manufactured goods will ensure higher income and enhanced poverty reduction.

March 10, 2007.