USAID’s West Africa Trade Hub works to increase exports of regional products and stimulate job creation in West Africa through expanded investment in growth sectors  -- including manufactured apparel, shea butter, home decor and fashion accessories, fish and seafood and processed cashews, as well as some specialty foods.

Working with more than 200 export-ready businesses across the region, the Hub faciliated more than $16 million in exports from the region between 2005-2007, as well as $3 million in investments.

To prepare West African businesses for the rigors of the global market, the Hub offers tailored trainings and technical assistance in such areas as quality certifications, production processes, financial organization, pricing, promotional materials, sales management, strategic planning, labeling and packaging.

Select businesses participate in international trade shows  at regional pavilions, organized by the Hub to spotlight West African products and capacity. Upcoming shows, as well as other events of interest to West African business, can be found in our calendar.

Producers and buyers can also benefit from the Hub’s published and online resources, including export guides for apparel, shea and handicrafts, and industry reports such as an expert review of AGOA advantages for apparel, and analyses of the shea butter value chain and West African cashew processing capacity. Check out these and more in our resources library.

For a list of West African exporters in the apparel, cashews, handicrafts, shea, and specialty foods sectors, please consult our most recent exporters' directory. West Africans looking to export should take our export-readiness questionnaire.