On 11 April 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) advised that under the framework of the European Union(EU) and its Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme (the Programme), and in partnership with the European Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Business Council (CBC), it had held an Advanced Training Workshop on AfCFTA RoO for the French-speaking private sector of Eastern and Southern Africa in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from 24 to 27 March 2025.
Representatives from eight French-speaking member states of the COMESA – Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Rwanda, Tunisia and Seychelles – benefited from the Workshop, which aimed to equip private sector representatives with in-depth expertise on AfCFTA RoO. The workshop was part of a comprehensive capacity-building journey that began in June 2024.
The support provided under the EU-TAF and the Programme enables the deployment of comprehensive capacity-building activities to enhance the private sector’s knowledge of RoO and contribute to the seamless utilisation and implementation of the AfCFTA and COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA).
The Workshop allowed participants to deepen their technical knowledge of origin acquisition, certification, verification, and other key AfCFTA requirements. Through interactive sessions, participants applied their learning through practical exercises in real-world scenarios.
The initiative aims to establish a sustainable network of trained professionals who can facilitate knowledge dissemination and support the implementation of the AfCFTA across the COMESA region.
In his opening remarks, the CBC CEO emphasised that the joint collaboration with the programme and the EU-TAF was designed to create a multiplier effect, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of the regional knowledge pool. He highlighted that some experts would soon undergo specialised training as trainers at the WCO headquarters.
The Political Advisor and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Madagascar and Comoros highlighted the special relationship between the EU and Africa, noting that the EU has been instrumental in supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA since its inception.
The Director General of FCCIM (Fédération des Chambres de Commerce et d’Industrie de Madagascar) welcomed participants to Madagascar and affirmed his organisation’s readiness to support the full participation of the Malagasy private sector in the AfCFTA.
In collaboration with the Programme and the EU-TAF, the CBC will continue its work with regional stakeholders to equip the private sector with the necessary knowledge for the efficient implementation and application of AfCFTA RoO.
Want to know more about the Programme?
The WCO-EU RoO Africa Programme, funded by the EU, aims to facilitate and increase intra-African trade, trade between Africa and Europe, and trade between Africa and the rest of the world. The Programme is a concrete step the EU and the WCO take in consultation with key stakeholders to support African partners in implementing the AfCFTA.
For more information, consult the WCO-EU RoO Africa Programme’s webpage.