Global Objective:
ECOBIZ is an online database which provides constantly updated information on business opportunities (demand and supply of goods and services) in West Africa. Its overall objective is the promotion of intra-community trade using ICT.
Program Objective:
i) Increase in the number of companies registered on ECOBIZ database
ii) Increased sensitization of the business community and the general public on ECOBIZ
iii) Widening the range of information available (information in business climate, investment, etc.)
Program Justification
i) Decision establishing the Community Computer Centre 06/86
Program Expected Results:
i) Increase in intra-community trade inflow
ii) Existence of an ECOBIZ database constantly updated and constituting a reliable source of information in West Africa
iii) Subscription to the ECOBIZ system by major companies operating in West Africa
iv) Effective use of ECOBIZ database in transactions in West Africa

SUB-PROGRAM 5.1:     ECOBIZ
Program Description:
ECOBIZ is a web portal which aims at facilitating promotion of trade and investment flows in ECOWAS region.
Program Overall Objective:
The main objective of the ECOWAS Business Information System is to facilitate promotion of trade and investment flows in the ECOWAS region through dissemination of information on ECOWAS protocols, agreements, etc, business and investment opportunities in the region, database of buyers and suppliers of goods and services from all Member states and also on relevant business and trade /investment information to the global community.
Program Specific objectives:
The specific objectives are to:
– Provide institutional information e.g. protocols, agreements, etc.
– Promote business and investment opportunities in the region.
– Build a database of buyers and suppliers of goods and services.
– Match buyers and sellers of goods and services.
– Make available and accessible relevant business and trade /investment information to the global community.
– Support business and investment decisions making by providing timely information on the regional investment climate.
Program Expected outcome
• Up-to-date Institutional information made available on the web portal;
• A sustainable web window readily resorted to by the business Community for relevant business and trade information in ECOWAS member States.
• Management of the ECOBIZ System to be entrusted to a private operator
• Increase in intra-regional trade and investment flow.
• Increased competitiveness of the region;

Program Performance indicators
• New version of ECOBIZ website launched with up to date and relevant investment information and an E-commerce module integrated into the portal
• Number of peoples visiting and making enquiries on the website
• Percentage increase in flow of trade and investment in the region
• The database and Number of buyers and sellers listed on the website:
• Matchmaking of buyers and sellers
Program Activities
• Preparation of Terms of reference for the development of new web portal
• Conducting the process for identification and selection of private sector operator, including preparation of management contract
• Monitoring activities of the private sector operator

SUB-PROGRAM 5.2:    INTEGRATION OF RESIMAO WEB SITES INTO ECOBIZWORLD PORTAL

Program Description:
This programme aims at assisting the West African Network of Agricultural Information Systems (RESIMAO) to have an online information system on agriculture, livestock and environment in order to merge all information systems on agriculture and trade of agro-sylvo-pastoral products put in place by other regional organizations in West Africa
Program Overall objective:
To promote trade in agricultural products in West Africa through enhancement of information systems on the market.
Program Specific objectives
a. To create a single agricultural information system for West Africa;
b. To improve effectiveness of all national agricultural information systems;
c. To prepare capacity building programmes for agricultural product producers and traders’ organisations;
d. To improve the business environment in the sub-region.
Program Expected outcomes
• ECOWAS Commission to ensure hosting of RESIMAO.net into its domain
• Enhancement of the volume of traded agricultural products and improvement of food security in West Africa.
• Improvement of RESIMAO efficiency

Program Performance indicators
• Number of operational national information systems on the market;
• Volume of agricultural products traded in the sub-Region;
• Quality of information available on the resimao.net websites;
• Contribution of producers and traders associations in the decision-making process relating to their activities in the sub-region.

Program Activities
• Monitoring the up-dating of RESIMAO data base
• Hosting and management of RESIMAO web site
• Organization of 2 coordination meeting with RESIMAO (Abuja and Niamey)

Posted in: CCC Programmes