The Challenges of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) in Promoting Free Trade

Idoko, Miss Ilemona Ijeoma (2026) The Challenges of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) in Promoting Free Trade. MA/MSc, Lámfalussy Sándor Közgazdaságtudományi Kar (volt Közgazdaságtudományi Kar).

PDF LKK-A-2026-74.pdf Hozzáférés joga: Csak nyilvántartásba vett egyetemi IP-kről nyitható meg Download (923kB)

Absztrakt (kivonat)

This thesis investigates why the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) has underperformed since its creation in 1979. Despite aiming to create a unified market, intra-regional trade remains low at 10 15% of total trade, far below the levels in Europe or Asia. The central question is, what explains this persistent implementation gap, and how can it be closed? The study uses a qualitative desk-based approach, analysing ECOWAS treaties, academic literature, and two case studies: Nigeria’s 2019 2020 border closure and the Nigerian Bottling Company’s (NBC) experience with ETLS certification. These cases illustrate the gap from both a high level political and a low-level administrative perspective. The analysis reveals three interconnected failures. First, institutional weaknesses cripple the scheme: the ECOWAS Commission has no real enforcement power, National Approval Committees (NACs) are slow and inconsistent, and the Court of Justice is largely inaccessible to traders. Second, the legal framework itself creates barriers: complex 40% Rules of Origin, an opaque certification process, and a Negative List used for permanent protectionism. Third, enforcement is virtually absent: the Trade Observatory relies on voluntary reporting, sanctions are only for coups, and dispute resolution is too slow and costly. Based on these findings, the thesis proposes six practical reforms. These include granting the ECOWAS Commission autonomous enforcement authority, simplifying the Rules of Origin, digitizing the certification process, making the Negative List transparent, creating a specialized trade tribunal, and establishing a compensation fund for smaller states. The thesis concludes that the ETLS does not fail from a lack of ambition, but because its design makes non-compliance the rational choice. Closing the implementation gap requires political courage, not just new protocols.

Magyar cím

Az ECOWAS Kereskedelmi Liberizációs Program (ETLS) kihívásai a szabadkereskedelem előmozdításában

Angol cím

The Challenges of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) in Promoting Free Trade

Intézmény

Soproni Egyetem

Kar

Lámfalussy Sándor Közgazdaságtudományi Kar (volt Közgazdaságtudományi Kar)

Tanszékcsoport/intézet

LKK - Közgazdasági és Nemzetközi Kapcsolatok Intézet

Szak

LKK - Nemzetközi gazdaság és gazdálkodás mesterszak (MA)

Témavezető(k)

Helyi kari azonosító

LKK-A-2026-74

Mű típusa:	Diplomadolgozat (MA/MSc)
Felhasználói azonosító szám (ID):	Miss Ilemona Ijeoma Idoko
Dátum:	21 Júl 2026 13:42
Utolsó módosítás:	21 Júl 2026 13:42
URI:	http://diploma.uni-sopron.hu/id/eprint/16911

Actions (login required)

Tétel nézet