Nigeria, now predominantly an oil economy, would escape the imminent danger that would befall the largely agro-based products of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.
Ivory Coast inked an interim trade accord with the European Union on Friday as the bloc pushes for deals with as many former European colonies as possible before preferential trade terms expire on December 31. The top cocoa producer is the first West African country to sign a bilateral deal, breaking ranks with the region's ECOWAS economic community.
Ivory Coast's banana and pineapple farmers are urging the government to sign a new trade deal with the European Union so they can compete once tariff free access to its market ends next month, officials said.