Thanks to complete digitalization, ECOWAS intends to simplify customs procedures and streamline trade according to the press release received by APA.
In an innovative move, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) unveiled its very first electronic certificate of origin this Monday in Lagos.
This project, a first for a regional bloc in Africa, aims to stimulate intra-regional trade and strengthen economic integration in West Africa, informs a note received by APA.
This electronic certificate of origin, which is part of ECOWAS’s efforts to modernize its customs instruments, will eliminate the challenges associated with the management of paper certificates, while reducing fraud and building confidence in the system of certificates of origin, explains the document.
A tool for reinforced integration
The certificate of origin is an essential document in international trade, certifying that goods come from a given country according to specific rules. However, the use of falsified certificates has often eroded trust and slowed trade in the region.
With this complete digitalization, ECOWAS intends to simplify customs procedures and streamline trade.
According to Ms. Massandje Touré-Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, this initiative is a decisive turning point.
« This end-to-end digitization, from origin to destination, covers the application and issuance of certificates of origin, digital signing of certificates, electronic submission to customs for approval before export, and secure transmission to customs of the importing country “, she declared in her speech, read by her representative.
She added that this reform “ eliminates human intervention, significantly reduces fraud and facilitates the cross-border movement of Community goods. »
Present at the event, Ms. Mette Werdelin Azzam, senior expert from the World Customs Organization, welcomed the ECOWAS initiative.
« Being the first regional bloc in Africa to launch a digital certificate of origin is a major breakthrough. This will strengthen regional value chains and contribute to sustainable development in West Africa “, she said.
Decades of effort rewarded
Since 2019, ECOWAS has been working on the creation of the e-CO Hub, a regional platform for transmitting and receiving digitized certificates of origin.
This project builds on a decade of customs reforms, including the automation of community transit procedures with the Automated System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT).
By leveraging new technologies, ECOWAS hopes to accelerate regional integration and achieve its ultimate goal: a fully functional and prosperous free trade area.
ARD/ac/Sf/APA
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