AfCFTA partners WCO to operationalize liberalization of trade

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the World Customs Organization (WCO), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at operationalizing the tariff schedules and ensuring additional free and efficient movement of goods in Africa.

The MoU was signed in Brussels, Belgium, by the secretary-general of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene and the secretary-general of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya.

A statement from the Secretariat said AfCFTA and the WCO are united in their shared goal of increasing prosperity in Africa through the liberalization of trade on the Continent.

“This MoU represents the next logical step for the two organizations as they work to reduce barriers to trade across Africa by connecting Customs systems, populating the AfCFTA Tariff Book and providing capacity building for Customs officials and administration”, the statement read.

The agreement is said to allow the two organizations to work together and support each other as they address logistical challenges whilst seeking to implement programs and develop trade across Africa.

Wamkele Mene noted that “the MoU would enable the WCO to partner with the AfCFTA in ensuring that Customs Administrations are fully equipped to implement the AfCFTA Agreement,” he said.

Benefits of MoU

The collaboration is set to capacitate the AfCFTA with technological systems that would allow standardization of data and connectivity of Customs systems, to create a developed AfCFTA E -Tariff-Book and enhanced skills and expertise of Customs officials in operationalizing the AfCFTA and many other benefits.

Nicholas Brown

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