Capacity Building: NCS Hosts WCO, JICA Workshop on African Rules of Origin.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), organised a five-day workshop aimed at building the capacity of Customs operatives across African countries in the area of rules of origin.

Addressing Journalists shortly after declaring the workshop open, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Caroline Niagwan, noted that the two international organisations had formed an alliance to provide technical assistance which includes training initiatives to support Customs Officers across the African region.

DCG Niagwan stated that, “The European Union and the World Customs Organization signed a partnership agreement for a comprehensive programme that would foster the full implementation and application of the rules of origin in Africa.

“This programme, known as the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa programme, enhances the capacity of Africa and supports the implementation and application of rules of origin to boost Intra-African trade. This is the whole rationale”.

Faith Mathenge, a Rule of Origin expert and facilitator for the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa programme, reiterated that the programme was designed to build capacity for African counties in rules of origin, which she described as crucial for facilitating trade.

She affirmed the WCO’s commitment to providing continuous support to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) through training initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its officers.

Mathenge revealed that nearly 26 countries sent representatives to participate in the workshop and encouraged attendees to pay close attention to the modern technicalities associated with rules of origin.

She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his unwavering support for capacity building. “I must commend the CGC for prioritising capacity building, which is the bedrock that enable his officers to implement procedures that facilitate trade and enhance compliance,” she said.

The workshop underscored the importance of collaboration in fostering Intra-African trade and strengthening the role of Customs officers in implementing rules of origin effectively.