Informal Cross-Border Trade and Regional Integration in ECOWAS: A Senegalese Perspective

Informal cross-border trade plays a crucial role in regional integration efforts within ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). However, studies focusing specifically on Senegal’s perspective are limited. A structured questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Senegal. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. Thirty percent of respondents reported engaging in informal cross-border trade with neighboring countries, highlighting the significant role of such activities in regional economic ties. This study underscores the importance of integrating informal trade into regional integration strategies to enhance overall development outcomes. Enhanced policy support for SMEs engaged in informal trade is recommended, including facilitation of cross-border transactions and capacity-building programmes. Informal Trade, Regional Integration, ECOWAS, Senegal