Comprehensive and Sustainable Rules of Origin Capacity Building Initiative for Eswatini Customs Officials and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Officials

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Underunder the framework of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, commenced a comprehensive and sustainable rules of origin capacity building initiative for Eswatini Customs Officials and Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade Officials. The first activity under the initiative was a self-paced e-learning course on rules of origin through the WCO CLiCK! platform, which was undertaken by the officials over a period of four weeks. This was followed by an intermediate level training event held in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Eswatini, from 25 to 29 August 2025 with the aim of equipping participants with foundational competencies to enable application and implementation of rules of origin.

The opening ceremony was graced by Ambassador Melisa Masuku, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade. In his opening remarks, the PS expressed his gratitude to GIZ for their support in organising the workshop and lauded the EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme's comprehensive and well-structured approach to capacity building. Acknowledging that trade is the backbone of Eswatini's economy, the PS reiterated the vital role of rules of origin in international trade and expressed his expectation that this capacity building intervention will enable Eswatini's trade systems to be efficient as well as robust in combating origin fraud as well as responding to today's dynamic economic environment. Lastly, he recognised that the participants would acquire necessary skills to effectively apply Rules of Origin, and in so doing, they would competitively position Eswatini in regional and international markets.

Also in attendance at the workshop was the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Secretariat. The representative of the Secretariat, Ms. Motheba Malibeng, Programme Officer- Regional Trade, asserted the Secretariat's commitment to support regional integration and the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. She reminded participants on the AfCFTA objectives and their pivotal role in increasing intra-African trade. She affirmed that user-friendly rules of origin, that are implemented in a consistent and transparent manner will enable realisation of the benefits envisioned to arise from the AfCFTA.

The workshop was tailormade to enable learners to acquire the knowledge and skills required to determine whether goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment by accurately applying originating products conditions, territorial requirements and proof of origin procedures. Learner-focused approach characterised by use of exercises, case studies, illustrations, plenary discussions, among other learning activities, enabled internalisation of origin concepts. At the conclusion of the workshop, the participants held a brainstorming session where they identified areas of improvement in their respective organizations in relation to application and implementation of rules of origin, and they made recommendations for consideration by Management.

For further information please contact [email protected]