ECOWAS has several trade and trade related policies not necessarily directly connected to one another though they all seek to achieve the singular goal of economic development and regional integration. There are polices on areas not limited to Trade in goods, Trade in Services, Investment Environment and Food and Agriculture.

The ECOWAS Regional Common Trade Policy is envisioned to meet the fluidity and dynamism of factors impacting economic growth and regional integration. The overall objective of the Common Trade Policy is to ‘To promote a balanced relationship between trade integration and sustainable development that promotes a more transparent and predictable business environment and protect the interests of ECOWAS citizens within the context of ECOWAS Vision 2020.’

A study was conducted in 2017 to inform the formulation of the policy. Input from other stakeholders including experts from ECOWAS Member States have also been considered in the formulation of the policy. The policy is guided by articles 3 and 4 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty and rests upon the following five principal, and yet interrelated, pillars:

1. Enhanced Connectivity and sectoral cooperation
2. Single market and productive ECOWAS
3. Inclusive and people-centered ECOWAS
4. Competitive, innovative and dynamic ECOWAS
5. Fully integrated and global ECOWAS.

The policy has been formulated , validated and currently undergoing sensitization in member states ahead of its adoption.