On 23 December 2024, the World Customs Organization (WCO) advised that its Programmes for Harmonized System (HS) and Rules of Origin (RoO) in Africa, with the European Union (EU), had held the annual Steering Committee Meetings on 09 to11 December 2024 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The high-level meetings gathered representatives from the EU, the WCO, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the WCO ESA and WCA Regional Offices for Capacity Building, eight (8) Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Customs administrations from Africa, to appraise the results of the Programmes, provide guidance and orientation, and approve the work plan for the next reporting period.
The Steering Committee members commended the work accomplished by the Programmes to date and the significant milestone achieved in advancing harmonised trade through dedicated and tailor-made support, the coordinated implementation of the HS, robust capacity-building initiatives, digitalisation projects, as well as the implementation of advance rulings at regional and national levels. They also acknowledged the important changes that the programme was making for its beneficiaries and in Africa. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the EU and the WCO for the partnership. It highlighted the paramount importance of the continuity of the HS and RoO programmes and the prospects to include valuation.
The Steering Committee Members reviewed the progress made so far by the Programmes. They examined the key areas that needed interventions, such as supporting efforts towards establishing Customs laboratories, implementing advance rulings, origin-adapted training materials, self-certification of origin, and technical support to the RECs and the AfCFTA secretariat.
The Committee adopted and validated recommendations for the way forward and concluded the meeting by endorsing Programmes’ annual report for 2024.