West Africa: EU-Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

2026 marks a milestone in the EU’s trade relations with Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, with the 10th anniversary of the signature and entry into force of our respective interim (‘stepping stone’) Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).

The EU-Côte d’Ivoire Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed on 28 July 2016 and entered into provisional application on 15 December 2016, while the EU-Ghana EPA was signed on 28 July 2016 and entered into provisional application on 15 December 2016.

At a glance

The Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with West Africa Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana cover goods and development cooperation

Negotiations for a bilateral Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) between the EU and Côte d’Ivoire were launched on 17 July 2026. The main objective of the future bilateral SIFA will be to increase sustainable investment by EU businesses in Côte d’Ivoire, while Ivoirian businesses will benefit from facilitation measures and from improved linkages between foreign investors and domestic suppliers.

Trade figures

  • The EU is West Africa’s largest trading partner, and West Africa is the EU’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. Total trade between the two regions amounted to €64 billion in 2024.
  • West Africa’s exports to the EU consist mainly of fuels and food products, particularly cocoa and cocoa products. Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon provide more than 70% of EU imports of cocoa and cocoa products.
  • EU–West Africa trade in services is expanding, notably in transportation and logistics, travel and business services.
  • West Africa is the second most important investment destination for the EU in Africa, with total EU investment stock worth €52 billion in 2024.
  • 29% of the EU’s total trade with West Africa is with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, both of which are implementing interim EPAs with the EU. Trade between the EU and these two countries increased by 73% since 2016, reaching €19 billion in 2024.

Tariffs

  • Except arms and ammunition, the EU grants 100% duty-free and quota-free access to all imports coming from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, under the interim EPA. Access to the EU market is permanent, full and free to all products.

 

Use the search option of My Trade Assistant to find the exact information on duties and tariffs for your specific product, taking into consideration its country of origin and destination. If in doubt, contact your customs authorities.

 

Rules of origin

In order to qualify for preferential treatment, your product will need to satisfy the rules of origin under the agreement. Please check the interactive “Rules of Origin Self Assessment tool (ROSA)” in My Trade Assistant to assess whether your product fulfils the rules of origin and find out how to prepare the correct documents.

General information about the rules of origin is available below.

Flexible rules of origin enable Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana to export products with inputs from other countries, especially in key sectors - agriculture, fisheries and textiles and clothing. For example, a textile product can enter the EU duty-free if at least one stage in its production – such as weaving or knitting – took place in an EPA country.

Tolerance

Tolerances included in the Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana EPA are more lenient than the usual ones. They mount to 15% in ex-work price of the final product, instead of 10% foreseen in most of the EU's agreements. For textile and clothing, specific tolerances apply.

Cumulation

The EPA provisions include the following types of cumulation:

  • Bilateral cumulation with the EU
  • Diagonal and Full cumulation with OCTs and ACP countries, under certain conditions.
  • Cumulation with neighboring developing countries, under certain conditions.

Direct transport

Evidence of direct transport must be brought to the customs authorities of the importing country.

Duty drawback

Refund may be claimed for duty paid on materials, which were previously imported for further processing and then exported to a country that has signed an EPA with the EU.

Product specific rules of origin

 

Use the search option of My Trade Assistant to find the rules applicable to your specific product.

Derogations

At the request of an EPA country, a derogation could be granted, under specific conditions, in order to allow more relaxed rules of origin to apply for certain products originating in specific countries.

Product requirements

Technical rules and requirements

  • Learn about the technical requirements, rules and procedures that goods have to meet in order to be imported in the European Union.
  • Search for the specific rules and regulations applicable to your product and its country of origin in the My Trade Assistant database.

Health and safety requirements SPS

Custom clearance documents and procedures

 Proofs of origin

  • To become an approved exporter, you must be able to prove to your customs authorities the originating status of your products, as well as any other requirements they may impose.

The customs authorities can withdraw your approved exporter status in case of misuse. To find out more about the procedures, contact your customs authorities.

  • To qualify for preferential duty rates, products originating in West Africa EPA countries must be accompanied by a proof of origin. Proof of origin remains valid for 10 months. This can be either:
    • a Movement Certificate EUR.1 - issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country. The exporter (or authorised representative) applying for a certificate must be prepared to submit documents proving the originating status of the products concerned on request and fulfil the other requirements of the rules of origin Protocol.
    • an invoice declaration – issued by any exporter, for consignments valued 6,000 EUR or less, or by approved exporters, for consignments of any value. When filling in an invoice declaration, you should be prepared to submit documents proving the originating status of your products and fulfil the other requirements of the Protocol on rules of origin.

Other documents

  • Find out about other custom clearance documents and procedures[link] needed to import into the European Union.

Intellectual Property and Geographical Indications

Trade in Services

Public Procurement

Investment

Other areas

Competition

  • Since 2014, the EU has stopped export subsidies on all products exported to EPA countries.
  • The EU has minimised measures with production and trade- distorting
  • If local industry is threatened because of import surges from Europe, EPAs allow measures to be triggered to protect industrial sectors and infant industry.

Sustainable development

The Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana EPAs are explicitly based on the "essential and fundamental" elements set out in the  Samoa Agreement, i.e. human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law, and good governance. The agreement thus contain some of the strongest language on rights and sustainable development available in EU agreements.

  • The "non-execution clause" means that “appropriate measures” (as set out under the Cotonou Agreement) can be taken if any party fails to fulfil its obligations in respect of the essential elements. This may include the suspension of trade benefits.
  • The joint EPA institutions are tasked with the function of monitoring and assessing the impact of the implementation of EPAs on the sustainable development of the Parties.

Capacity-building and technical assistance

The EU provides Aid for Trade technical assistance. This helps countries to adapt their customs procedures and reduce paperwork. For you, this means less hassle when dealing with customs.

Useful links and documents

Quick links

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Frequently asked questions

  1. When the tariff refers to weight, is it gross weight or net weight?
  2. How can I find the import duty that applies to my product?
  3. If I want to sell my product in several EU countries, are there import duties to pay each time my product enters a different country?
  4. Can I get a list of products charged at 0% import duty?
  5. Are excise duties applied at EU or at national level?
  6. How is VAT charged in the EU?
  7. How can I get approval to export fish to the EU?
  8. Does food exported to the EU have to come from an EU-authorised establishment?
  9. Do I have to pay to use My Trade Assistant for Services and Investment?
  10. In which languages in My Trade Assistant for Services and Investment available?