A Joint COMESA – World Customs Organisation virtual regional workshop was held from Tuesday April 22 – 24 to review the application of Cumulation of Origin protocols between the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the COMESA Free Trade Area.
The three-day event enabled the experts examine cumulation provisions and consolidate all the issues (on cumulation) for further consideration by the COMESA Technical Working Group on Rules of Origin (COMESA TWG).
This emanated from the 18th meeting of the COMESA TWG on Rules of Origin held on 4 – 6 December 2024 which considered the proposed amendments to the COMESA Rules of Origin and agreed that the AfCFTA Secretariat should make a presentation on the proposal to extend the COMESA FTA cumulation provision to the AfCFTA on a reciprocal basis.
Assistant Secretary General for Programmes Amb. Dr. Mohamed Kadah opened the meeting and commended the WCO for their ongoing support under the European Union-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme.
He called for the need to rationalise the COMESA Rules of Origin to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness in fostering sustainable trade and development amid the emerging developments and new realities on the continent brought by the Tripartite Free Trade Area and the AfCFTA.
Dr Kadah pointed out that a mutual understanding on harmonizing rules of origin can address the challenges of overlapping trade agreements and enable industries across the continent to maximize their potential by tapping into wider ranges of regional/continental resources and markets.
“It is, therefore, imperative to identify pathways for collaboration and cooperation while considering the unique sensitivities and needs of our Member States,” Amb. Dr. Kadah stated.
The meeting was urged to keep the discussions rooted in the aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want” as they explore the technical aspects of inter-REC cumulation of origin.
Recommendations from the workshop will be submitted to the 19th meeting of the TWG on Rules of Origin which is scheduled to be held on 13 – 16 May 2025 for consideration and further discussion.
Ms Mette Azam Lead Origin Expert, EU-WCO Rules of Origin African Programme spoke on behalf of the WCO and Mr Mohamed Ali, Director of Trade in Goods and Competition represented the AfCFTA Secretariat.