The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and the Nigeria Customs Service, conducted an Advanced Training Workshop on Rules of Origin (RoO) in Abuja from 16 to 18 September 2025. The initiative, held under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme and funded by the European Union, aimed to deepen Nigeria’s capacity to effectively implement and apply Rules of Origin under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This training is part of a structured, multi-level program designed to build national expertise—from foundational understanding to advanced application and eventual certification as trainers.
Participants included officials from key government ministries, trade associations, and business groups, reflecting the inclusive approach required for AfCFTA’s success. The training employed interactive methods such as case studies, discussions, and practical exercises to enhance understanding. By its conclusion, participants reported improved confidence and readiness to apply the rules accurately and to guide others in doing the same. The Workshop also showcased successful collaboration, featuring facilitation by a Nigerian Customs official who completed the full WCO training cycle and now serves as a certified national trainer.
Potential Benefits to African Trade: This capacity-building initiative is a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s trade integration under the AfCFTA. By equipping Nigerian officials and trade stakeholders with advanced knowledge of Rules of Origin, the programme enhances transparency, compliance, and consistency in cross-border trade. This will reduce administrative bottlenecks, prevent trade fraud, and ensure that goods qualifying for preferential treatment under AfCFTA are correctly identified—thereby facilitating smoother intra-African trade.
Moreover, the creation of a pool of certified national trainers ensures long-term sustainability, enabling Nigeria to independently train future experts and extend technical support to other African nations. Ultimately, such initiatives foster trust among trading partners, improve the competitiveness of African exports, and accelerate the continent’s broader goal of building a single, integrated market that boosts industrialization and economic growth.
Moreover, the creation of a pool of certified national trainers ensures long-term sustainability, enabling Nigeria to independently train future experts and extend technical support to other African nations. Ultimately, such initiatives foster trust among trading partners, improve the competitiveness of African exports, and accelerate the continent’s broader goal of building a single, integrated market that boosts industrialization and economic growth.