Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the European Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), held a national training workshop on rules of origin for Comoros. The workshop was held in Moroni, Comoros, from 28 July to 1 August 2025 with the objective to assist Comoros in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin. The workshop saw the participation of Comoros Customs, the Ministry of Economy, Industry, Investment and Economic Integration, and the Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Said Hamza Youssouf, acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy, Industry, Investment and Economic Integration, expressed his appreciation to the EU and the WCO for their continued support. He stressed that rules of origin are important for the development of regional and continental value chains, and that a dynamic Customs administration is necessary for the implementation and application of the AfCFTA and other free trade agreements.
During the workshop, participants worked on key concepts for proper origin determination, related operational and procedural issues, including origin certification and origin irregularities, as well as the establishment of efficient origin management. In addition, participants discussed specific areas of concern, including the low level of knowledge and use of the FTAs and challenges linked to verification of origin including trough administrative cooperation. They also discussed recommendations for better management and implementation of rules of origin on a national and regional level.
Participants engaged actively and greatly appreciated the opportunity given by the workshop to exchange knowledge and experiences and stressed that this training would contribute to trade facilitation as well as fair and efficient revenue collection.
The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with various stakeholders in Comoros to equip them with extended knowledge for efficient implementation and application of rules or origin. The next steps in the competency development will cover an advanced training followed by a Training of Trainers on rules of origin.
For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org