By: Saidu Jalloh
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), has concluded a three-day National Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of customs officers from Sierra Leone’s National Revenue Authority (NRA) on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Rules of Origin.
The training, held at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel in Freetown, marks a significant step in equipping Sierra Leone’s customs officials to implement Africa’s landmark free trade agreement effectively.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, regional bodies, and international partners, all of whom highlighted the critical role that Rules of Origin (RoO) play in promoting fair and transparent trade under the AfCFTA framework. Participants were trained to apply technical knowledge that will help enforce trade protocols, reduce fraud, and improve cross-border trade efficiency.
In his opening remarks, Gerald H.P. Ganda, Deputy Commissioner General 2 of the NRA, emphasized that Rules of Origin are fundamental to the global trading system. He noted that RoO determine the economic nationality of goods and ensure the appropriate application of tariff reductions and exemptions under various trade agreements. Ganda praised ECOWAS and GIZ for their ongoing support, describing the training as “timely and vital for Sierra Leone’s trade competitiveness.”
ECOWAS Resident Representative, Ambassador John Azumah, commended President Julius Maada Bio’s recent appointment as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, viewing it as a testament to confidence in Sierra Leone’s leadership. Azumah reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to deepening regional cooperation, promoting intra-African trade, and advancing economic integration in line with its strategic vision.
GIZ Country Director Raphael Frerking described the AfCFTA as the cornerstone of Africa’s emerging internal common market, rooted in the principles of the Abuja Treaty and reinforced at the Kigali Summit. He applauded Sierra Leone’s investment in capacity building, stressing that the agreement has the potential to boost trade, generate employment, and empower women and youth across the continent. Frerking also noted that the training will have a “multiplier effect,” as certified officers are now equipped to share their knowledge nationwide and contribute to institutional development.
European Union representatives Holger Rommen and Johannes Behrenhs also expressed support for the initiative. They emphasized that the successful implementation of the AfCFTA relies heavily on the capacity and professionalism of frontline customs officers who manage cross-border trade.
The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants. Officials confirmed that the trained officers will now act as resource persons within their respective departments, helping to ensure that the benefits of the AfCFTA are extended to businesses and citizens, while promoting transparency and reducing trade irregularities.
Through initiatives like this, Sierra Leone is well-positioned to maximize the benefits of the AfCFTA and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s largest free trade area.