Building Capacity for Trade Excellence: NCS Hosts WCO, JICA Workshop

Building Capacity for Trade Excellence: NCS Hosts WCO, JICA Workshop

By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing its capacity for effective trade facilitation by hosting a workshop on African Rules of Origin from Thursday, 28 November 2024, In collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the workshop aims to equip Customs officials with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Rules of Origin. This capacity-building initiative is expected to improve the efficiency of Customs procedures, promote intra-African trade, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Nigerian businesses.

Speaking to 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. This includes training initiatives to support customs officers across the African region.

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

“This program, 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.”

Faith Mathenge, a Rules 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 countries 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, for his unwavering support for capacity building. “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.

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.