Under the patronage of the WCO Reserve Fund and in close collaboration with the Regional Training Center, a World Customs Organization Accreditation Workshop for Expert Trainers (ET) on Rules of Origin was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 23 to 27 April 2018.

The event was organized as part of the WCO strategic approach to expand the pool of Member Experts in order to assist the WCO in the effective delivery of capacity building activity.  In particular, this event was aimed at further developing the team of WCO Rules of Origin Expert Trainers capable of conducting international training activities in line with WCO standards.

The WCO has developed a three-phased approach to the accreditation process for the pre-selected candidates: (1) pre-screening; (2) participation to a WCO accreditation workshop; and (3) final evaluation carried out by a qualified WCO Expert during an in-field mission.

The event was attended by thirteen participants from the West and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa Regions.  They were assessed on their relevant technical knowledge and application, presentation and facilitation skills, communication and advisory skills, overall knowledge of key WCO tools and instruments and their team working capabilities.

During the intensive five-day workshop a good number of participants demonstrated they had the required skill set and attributes to become WCO Expert Trainers and were duly invited to the next stage of the accreditation process.  It is anticipated they will each be given an early opportunity of conducting an in-field mission in order to finalize their accreditations.