Under the framework of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO) in collaboration with the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office held a Basic Level Training on Rules of Origin in Abuja, Nigeria, from 29 to 31 July 2025 with the aim of equipping participants with foundational origin competencies that enable correct interpretation of origin text and determination of whether goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment or not.  The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service, C. K. Niagwanfsi, who celebrated the collaboration between the WCO, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and the Nigeria Customs Service as well as acknowledged the milestones attained by the collaboration.

The workshop is the first step towards a three-phased training cycle which progresses learners from the basic level training to advanced level training and then to Trainer of Trainer level.  This training model is a sustainable approach to capacity building because it is expected to result to a multiplier-effect to the capacity building investment.  Considering that the workshop’s participants included representatives of the Nigerian Association Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; Federal Ministry of Finance; Nigeria Employers Consultative Association; Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment; Nigeria Export Promotion Council; Small and Medium Enterprise owners; Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; and Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office officials, the multiplier effect of this capacity building initiative is likely to be compounded across the various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

In accordance with the WCO’s capacity building paradigm, the workshop was co-facilitated by one WCO expert and two Nigeria Customs Service Officials who successfully went through the training cycle and are now experts in rules of origin.  The training’s design facilitated internalisation of origin concepts through exercises, case studies, plenary discussions, brainstorming, among other learning activities.  At the conclusion of the workshop, participants took time to identify opportunities for them to immediately begin to utilize and share the information gained; and provided oral and anonymous feedback regarding the training.  Undoubtedly, significant learning was evidenced among the participants and many of them expressed high levels of confidence to begin to explore the possibilities to trade under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and/or to support enterprises that wish to expand their market to the African continent.

For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org