The overall objective of the project is to strengthen and enhance trade-related capacities of policy makers, officials and relevant institutions in the selected West African countries, by fostering the emergence of local technical, pedagogical and substantive competences. The project will therefore aim at ensuring that equitable benefits from increased trading opportunities and economic growth are achieved in these countries, in order to accelerate progress towards agreed development goals (and MDG 8 in particular).Through the production and delivery of face-to-face and distance learning training courses this project will build sustainable trade-related capacities through the use of e-learning tools. The project will take into account the needs of Governments as well as the private sector (trade and transport operators, import/export associations, and NGOs), and will establish a network of national and regional counterparts.