Accra: Burkina Faso relies heavily on trade with Ghana to access the sea, allowing it to export minerals and cotton. However, the cumbersome bureaucracy has historically slowed down border crossings. Additionally, since an insurgency erupted a decade ago, traders, particularly women, have been threatened by hijackings and theft.
According to African Press Organization, to enhance safety and operations at the Paga-Dakola border, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and its partners conducted an 18-month study of the crossing. A series of meetings have endorsed the reforms proposed in the study, aiming to make this vital corridor function more smoothly.
The Paga-Dakola border has seen increased traffic as traders reroute shipments away from insurgent-held regions. The study was conducted by ITC in collaboration with the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade Programme (EAT), the ECOWAS Commission, German development agency GIZ, and national authorities.
The study took place amidst significant regional changes, as Burkina
Faso has withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form a new alliance with Mali and Niger. This has raised concerns about future trade policies, border protocols, and regional cooperation. Despite these changes, businesses remain committed to strengthening cross-border trade.
On March 3, 2025, the Ghana Shippers Authority and ITC convened more than 20 experts to review the study. Participants included ECOWAS officials, policymakers, customs officials, business leaders, and development partners. They applauded the success of Burkina Faso’s Trade Portal (BurkTP), a website that provides step-by-step instructions on how to export and import. Ghana was encouraged to implement a similar system, with support for transport services and information available in more languages. The Virtual Linkage System for Import and Export Operations (SYLVIE) in Burkina Faso was also praised for improving customs processes, and there were suggestions to add flexibility for corrections and to include
costs impacting agrifood products.
A regional consultation held in Accra on March 6 and 7, 2025, prioritized 18 out of the study’s 78 recommendations. Key priorities identified included improved agency coordination, digital tools, corridor security, and support for traders, especially women.
Moving forward, targeted reforms in security, management, and access to trade information could transform Paga-Dakola into a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trade hub capable of adapting to regional changes.