The World Customs Organization (WCO) under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union (EU), held an Advanced Training workshop on Rules of Origin in Gaborone, Botswana, from 26 February to 1 March 2024. The workshop benefited the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) and aimed at enhancing the understanding of preferential rules of origin and regional trade agreements among customs officials from various units and border stations within the Customs Department.

During the workshop's commencement, Mr José Angel Marta Becerra, representing the EU Delegation to Botswana and SADC, emphasised the importance of capacity building in rules of origin, highlighting its role in ensuring the efficiency of Customs administrations. He also acknowledged the accomplishments of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa programme, including the recently published Comparative Study on Rules of Origin within the Eastern and Southern African Region. Furthermore, he reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Botswana in implementing trade agreements, including the SADC EU EPA agreement.

In her official opening remarks, Mrs. Jeanette Chanda Makgolo, Botswana Unified Revenue Commissioner General, noted the timeliness of the advanced rules of origin training, especially considering Botswana's preparations for implementing the AfCFTA trade agreement. She encouraged participants to approach the training with enthusiasm and to share the knowledge gained during the workshop with their colleagues. She also expressed gratitude to the EU and the WCO for their support to Botswana.

The workshop covered critical aspects such as proper origin determination, operational and procedural issues, and the establishment of efficient origin implementation of rules of origin. The WCO team presented comprehensive core origin provisions, including the Origin Certification and Preferential Origin Verification, aimed at assisting BURS in applying provisions in Free Trade Agreements. Practical exercises and case studies were conducted, allowing participants to apply learned origin concepts using regional agreements, including the AfCFTA.

In a practical demonstration, participants engaged in a day of fieldwork at a manufacturing factory, where they observed and analyzed manufacturing processes, the raw materials used, and the origin status of the final product. Additionally, they embarked on a practical demonstration at the BURS Gaborone Long Room, Regional Office. The workshop concluded with participants completing sample AfCFTA certificates.

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its collaboration with BURS. The next phase involves preparing for the Train the Trainer (ToT) session. This session is seen as a critical step in sustaining capacity in origin matters. It builds on the knowledge acquired during the workshop and equips selected BURS Customs officials with the necessary skills to provide ongoing training for relevant stakeholders.