Imagine an Africa where trade barriers gradually dissolve and a continent-wide market takes shape. This vision is moving closer to reality through the EU-World Customs Organization (WCO) Africa Rules of Origin Program, which expects significant achievements by 2025.
The initiative focuses on three critical areas to establish the foundation for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). First, it facilitates consensus among African nations regarding AfCFTA's rules of origin—a crucial step toward intracontinental free trade. Second, the program works to harmonize existing rules of origin systems across African countries, reducing trade barriers and facilitating regional commerce. Finally, it builds a dynamic community of practice for rules of origin, enhancing expertise through knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The Path to Economic Integration
The rules of origin—which determine where products originate for tariff purposes—represent a technical but vital component of trade agreements. Their standardization across Africa could unlock the full potential of AfCFTA, estimated to create the world's largest free trade area by number of participating countries.
Currently, Africa's intraregional trade accounts for just 17% of total commerce, compared to 59% in Asia and 69% in Europe. The disparity stems partly from inconsistent trade rules that complicate cross-border business. The EU-WCO program directly addresses these challenges by creating uniform standards and building institutional knowledge.
Building Capacity for the Future
Beyond policy alignment, the initiative emphasizes practical implementation. The developing community of practice will serve as a permanent resource for customs officials and trade experts, ensuring sustainable application of the new standards. This long-term approach distinguishes the program from previous technical assistance efforts.
When fully realized, the harmonized rules could streamline supply chains across Africa's 54 nations, boost manufacturing, and attract foreign investment. The economic transformation would position Africa more competitively in global markets while fostering self-reliance.