The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with GIZ and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), held a basic national training workshop on rules of origin in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 May to 02 June 2023, with the participation of Customs officials from different units and border stations within the Customs Services department, other Government agencies and private sector stakeholders. The workshop was organized under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union (EU), The objective of the workshop was to assist KRA and stakeholders in enhancing their knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin and contribute to the seamless implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and relevant Free trade agreements (FTAs). The training workshop was held in parallel with the training of trainers for the Kenya School of Revenue Administration.
In his opening remarks during the joint opening session for the two workshops, Dr Bernard Baimwera, Dean of Studies, Kenya School of Revenue Administration, representing the Commissioner of Customs, thanked the WCO and the EU for their support in building capacity on rules of origin and stressed that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is based on rules of origin and the free movement of goods on the continent and that trade facilitation will help Africa rise. He also added that the partnership with the WCO benefits the national Customs Administration, the country as well as the sustainable development of the African continent.
The Trade Policy Advisor, Ms Brenda Nyambura, in her opening remarks, stated that the Federal Republic of German through GIZ is committed to supporting the government of Kenya and has a specific AfCFTA Support Programme for Kenya. The programme focuses on strengthening the capacity of government ministries and agencies and the private sector in various fields including rules of origin in alignment with other donors such as the current partnership with WCO under the EU- WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme. She further thanked the WCO for the support provided for the training workshop.
During the workshop participants worked on key concepts for proper origin determination, related operational and procedural issues, and the establishment of efficient origin management. Further, the WCO facilitators presented the Revenue Package initiatives, including the Guidelines on Origin Certification, Preferential Origin Verification and Advance Rulings, which have been designed to assist WCO Members in bringing the provisions in Free Trade Agreements into the application. Participants presented the challenges in implementing trade agreements and AfCFTA implementation status. In addition, participants discussed specific areas of concern such as certification, verification and administrative cooperation.
The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with GIZ and KRA on enhancing Customs officials’ and stakeholders’ knowledge of rules of origin through capacity building for efficient implementation of free trade agreements.
For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org