Trade facilitation within ECOWAS countries and Benin’s agricultural exports: A systematic review

This systematic review examines how trade facilitation reforms within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) influence the performance of Benin’s agricultural exports between 2015 and 2025. It aims to assess the extent to which customs reforms, infrastructure development, and regional integration enhance Benin’s transition from a re-export-dependent economy to a competitive agricultural exporter. The review follows the PRISMA 2020 framework and draws evidence from eight peer-reviewed and institutional studies identified through Google Scholar, AJOL, SpringerLink, and Wiley Online Library. These studies address trade liberalization within ECOWAS, customs reforms, and Benin’s dual role as an agricultural producer and regional trade hub. The analysis shows that while ECOWAS protocols and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement have improved policy coordination, implementation remains inconsistent. High transaction costs, poor logistics, and weak enforcement of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards continue to limit export performance. However, initiatives such as port modernization, joint border posts, and digital customs systems have begun to yield measurable efficiency gains. The findings of this study imply that in order to strengthen competitiveness, Benin must harmonize regional standards, invest in infrastructure and data systems, and ensure consistent enforcement of ECOWAS trade protocols. Future research should consider employing longitudinal analyses and trade cost models to evaluate the long-term impact of facilitation reforms on agricultural value chains.