This call for applications is addressed to SMEs and startups in the textile and garments value chain (including also Fashion, Interior Design and Life Style Accessories).

The West African Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP), funded by the European Union, aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the West Africa region and enhance the integration of ECOWAS and the UEMOA Member States into the regional and international trading system.

Alongside the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are the implementing agencies of the regional component of the WACOMP programme. The WACOMP seeks to increase regional integration amongst the 15 ECOWAS countries as well as Mauritania by capitalizing on growth opportunities and strengthen product competitiveness in selected value chains:

• Textile and garment (including also Fashion, Interior Design and Life Style Accessories)
• Mango and cassava
• The Information and Communication Technology (IT or tech sector).

Benefits for your company

By applying to this call, you will have access to:

1. Diagnostic of your export potential
2. Online and offline training on export promotion and the development of business plans
3. Online and offline tailored training on the preparation and follow-up to B2B meetings & trade fairs (inclusive of training certificates)
4. Visibility for your company across the ECOWAS market and abroad
5. Support to attend the WEST AFRICA CONNECT 2021: a regional B2B event that will tentatively take place in November 2021 and will focus on textile/garment and ICT sectors. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the modalities of the events (virtual, physical or hybrid) will be determined in the next coming months.

Eligibility criteria

Your company must be:

1. Headquartered and registered in one of the ECOWAS/UEMOA countries or Mauritania
2. A manufacturer, handcrafts, fashion and creative industry, clothing creators, designers & stylists, communication agency; training services, culture & events, trader, exporter and logistic services provider, agent or branding within the garment and textiles sector, with a focus on Fashion, Interior Design, LifeStyle Accessories.

Export ready companies that have already experienced in working with clients outside their own country are warmly encouraged to participate. Applications from youth-owned/led and women-owned/led companies are also highly encouraged.

Companies/start-ups that provide incorrect information in the call for applications might be excluded from the selection process.

Selection process

The submitted information will be assessed by the WACOMP team and experts.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 4 May at midnight.

If you have questions or want to report problems with the form, please contact Haram Sidibe at hsidibe@intracen.org or Srija Sharma at ssharma@intracen.org

Thank you!

Application

To apply, visit

1. Textile questionnaire (English):https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeL4QcJN5JN329jLMZ3adQnlkiSJoIN_1tWUS5VtvFKEdFUdA/viewform
2. Textile questionnaire (French):https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflFTkOVMINTWOp-icXG8rl_Y8GL4r_sSi-qea2mzjqx86ppA/viewform