Customs

The WCO supports Nigeria’s AfCFTA coordination office to enhance RoO competence

On 18 August 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) advised that under the framework of the European Union (EU)-WCO Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme, funded by the EU, the WCO, in collaboration with the Nigeria African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Office, had held a basic level training course on RoO in Abuja, Nigeria, from 29 to 31 July 2025 with the aim of equipping participants with foundational origin competencies that enable correct interpretation of origin text and determination of whether goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment or not. The workshop was officially opened by the deputy comptroller general of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service, which celebrated the collaboration between the WCO, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and the Nigeria Customs Service, acknowledging the milestones attained by the collaboration.

The workshop is the first step in a three-phased training cycle that progresses learners from basic to advanced level training, culminating in trainer of trainers level. This training model is a sustainable approach to capacity building because it is expected to result in a multiplier effect on the capacity building investment. Considering that the workshop’s participants included representatives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; Federal Ministry of Finance; Nigeria Employers Consultative Association; Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Nigeria Export Promotion Council; Small and Medium Enterprise owners; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; and Nigeria AfCFTA coordination office officials, the multiplier effect of this capacity building initiative is likely to be compounded across the various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

In accordance with the WCO’s capacity building paradigm, the workshop was co-facilitated by one WCO expert and two Nigeria Customs Service officials who successfully went through the training cycle and are now experts in RoO. The training’s design facilitated internalisation of origin concepts through exercises, case studies, plenary discussions, brainstorming, among other learning activities. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants took time to identify opportunities for them to begin to utilise and share the information gained immediately. They provided oral and anonymous feedback regarding the training. Undoubtedly, significant learning was evidenced among the participants. Many of them expressed high levels of confidence in exploring trade possibilities under the AfCFTA and/or supporting enterprises that wish to expand their market to the African continent.

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