(Ecofin Agency) - The Togolese Ministry of Trade held a two-day training session on May 6- 7 for about 40 licensed customs agents on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its operational mechanisms. The event aimed to prepare key trade intermediaries to implement the agreement’s provisions effectively.

Participants represented professional bodies including the Union professionnelle des commissionnaires agréés en douane (UPRAD), the Association des commissionnaires agréés en douane (ACAD), and the CONVERGENCE grouping. 

The trainers covered the AfCFTA rules of origin, required commercial documents, and Togo’s tariff concessions list. They also explained additional codes used under the continental agreements to classify different trade categories.

The ministry said the training sought to enhance participants’ technical knowledge and raise awareness of opportunities from the gradual liberalization of intra-African trade.

The AfCFTA, launched under the African Union in 2021, aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. Togo supports the initiative and is working to improve the competitiveness of its businesses and expand their access to regional markets through capacity-building efforts.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum