Nigeria Customs Host WCO, JICA Workshop On African Rules Of Origin

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

The workshop was held from November 28 to December 2 to provide technical assistance in the area of Rules Of Origin (ROO) to customs officers across the African region.

Speaking to journalists shortly after declaring the workshop open, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Caroline Niagwan, said that the European Union and the WCO signed a partnership agreement on full implementation and application of the ROO in Africa.

ROO is a law, regulation, and administrative procedure that determines the country of origin of a product.

They are often used to determine a product’s economic nationality and are important for helping governments decide whether imports are subject to trade measures like tariffs, quotas, and preferential treatment.

Niagwan said, “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. That is the whole rationale.”

Also speaking, an expert and facilitator for the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme, Faith Mathenge, reiterated that the programme was designed to build capacity for African countries.

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, for his support: “I must commend the CGC for prioritising capacity building, which is the bedrock that will enable his officers to implement procedures that facilitate trade and enhance compliance,” she said.

Nigeria Customs Host WCO, JICA Workshop On African Rules Of Origin is first published on The Whistler Newspaper