Food safety & Competitiveness: A strategic alliance for West Africa

How can we guarantee that products traded within our sub-region, or exported internationally, are safe and of high quality?

The answer lies in a perfect synergy between those who make the rules (the regulators) and those who verify their application (the conformity assessment bodies), under the leadership of the West African Accreditation System (SOAC).

Indeed, in a context where trust has become a strategic value, West Africa is implementing the project "Use of Digital Tools to Facilitate Safe Trade in Food Products in West Africa." This project, funded by the Standards Application and Trade Development Fund (STDF) and implemented by UNIDO in collaboration with the West African Accreditation System (SOAC), aims to strengthen food safety and product competitiveness within the WAEMU region and in Guinea. With a budget of USD 1.37 million, the initiative leverages digital tools to improve compliance with SPS standards, increase stakeholder confidence, and expand the number of accredited bodies, while integrating a gender-sensitive and inclusive approach.

On December 11, 2025, a high-level panel was held in Abidjan, chaired by Dr. Paul Koffi Koffi, Commissioner to the WAEMU Commission. This meeting brought together more than fifty participants from regulatory authorities, conformity assessment bodies, the private sector, and regional economic communities. It led to the launch of a platform for sharing experiences among regulators, accredited bodies, the SOAC (Swiss Accreditation and Certification Service), and the regional economic communities (WAEMU/ECOWAS) to strengthen cooperation and the delegation of technical control to competent private actors. The discussions addressed existing practices, such as the Smiley system in Belgium, and highlighted the importance of the ECOWAS ECOQMARK certification mark for lending credibility to regional products.

Dr. Paul Koffi Koffi emphasized the strategic importance of this approach, stating: “In a world where trust has become a strategic value, innovation is emerging as an essential pillar of economic development and competitiveness, whether in trade, health, industry, or the environment. No effective public policy can do without a reliable and recognized evaluation system. This requirement is crucial in building an integrated and credible regional market where products, services, and skills meet the same quality standards. We urge member states to go beyond mere agreement in principle and to become actively involved by making the organizations with which SOAC can collaborate visible, so that quality becomes a shared reality for both the public and private sectors.”
Following this session, virtual meetings are planned on the SOAC digital platform to strengthen partnerships and continue implementing the planned actions. This initiative aims to consolidate a quality infrastructure capable of supporting regional competitiveness and ensuring product compliance with international standards.