ECOWAS Launches Electronic Certificate of Origin to Facilitate Trade
Eromosele Abiodun
In a bid to eliminate delays and facilitate the movement of locally made goods within member states, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the commission yesterday in Lagos, launched an electronic certificate of origin.
Following the launch, electronic certificate of origin will be used in the four pilot countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Cote Ivories and would be extended to the 15 member countries.
Speaking at the launch of the E-certificate, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture at ECOWAS, Massandje Toure-Litse said the use of an electronic certificate of origin will eliminate delays and fraud, and facilitate trade through the exchange of documents as Customs administration will be interconnected.
Represented by the Director of Customs Union and Taxation at ECOWAS, Salifou Tiemtore, she said ECOWAS is the first region in Africa to automate its certificate of origin and the move will set an example for other areas of the continent.
She said the proliferation of free trade agreements as a way of creating markets, enhancing cross-border movement of goods, and stimulating countries’ productive capacity with its attendant economic benefits also poses significant challenges to developing and least developed countries.
According to her, “These countries have weak industrial capacity and are highly dependent on border taxes for economic development. This has led to the erosion of Customs revenues due to non-compliance with origin requirements and procedures. This has further destroyed the already weak industrial landscape of these poor countries and exacerbates the already precarious economic situation in which they find themselves.”
Also speaking, Head of Program at GIZ, ECOWAS-AfCFTA, s Bernard Tayoh, aid the launch of the electronic Certificate of Origin will lead to regional economic integration and benefits to member states, businesses, and citizens.
According to him, GIZ collaborated closely with the commission by supporting the strengthening of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLs) by moving from the manual form of ETLs certificate of origin to the electronic certificate.
“This will ensure effective implementation by member states of the ETLs through the operation of an ad-hoc monitoring mechanism, named the ETLs Task Force. It will facilitate the determination of origin of goods by border agencies, render the ETL more effective, and make it more environmentally friendly for the community,” he explained.
On his part, a representative of WCO, Mette Azzam, said the Rules of Origin for Africa is a programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the World Customs Organisation at the general and national levels in Africa.
She said the aim is to support the end-to-end capacity to deal with origin, and ultimately support the harmonised and well-coordinated implementation in the regional economic communities.
Also speaking, Senior Trade Facilitation Officer at the African Development Bank (AfDB), Abou Fall said the E-certificate will boost the economic competitiveness of member states.
