On 22 September 2026, the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) inaugurated the second advanced national training seminar on rules of origin applicable to goods at the Sarakawa Hotel in Lomé. The event, organized in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), aims to strengthen the capacity of customs officials and private sector stakeholders ahead of the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The seminar focuses on the practical application of origin criteria, certification procedures, and the new digital tools for origin verification under the AfCFTA framework. This initiative follows the first seminar held in 2025 and reflects Togo’s commitment to aligning its customs procedures with continental standards. The opening ceremony was attended by the Commissioner General of OTR, representatives from the Ministry of Finance, and senior officials from the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building.
Key Takeaways
- Harmonized Origin Certification: The seminar introduced the revised AfCFTA Rules of Origin Manual, which standardizes product-specific rules across member states. Participants received hands-on training on the electronic certificate of origin (e-CO) platform, which will replace paper-based certificates starting 1 January 2027. The platform integrates with the national customs management system (SYDAM World) to allow real-time verification of origin declarations by partner countries.
- Enhanced Compliance for Preferential Treatment: Customs administrators emphasized that strict adherence to origin rules is mandatory for goods to qualify for zero-tariff treatment under AfCFTA. Non-compliant shipments will face most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs and potential penalties. The seminar detailed the new “wholly obtained” and “substantial transformation” criteria for key export sectors such as agricultural products, textiles, and automotive parts.
- Private Sector Engagement: The OTR announced a series of follow-up workshops targeting exporters and importers to ensure widespread understanding of the new origin declaration requirements, including the mandatory use of the AfCFTA Tariff Book for product classification. A dedicated helpdesk will be established within the OTR to assist traders with origin certification queries and dispute resolution mechanisms under the AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods.
The seminar also addressed the interplay between AfCFTA rules of origin and existing regional agreements such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). Participants discussed the risk of trade deflection and the importance of coordinated enforcement across borders. The OTR confirmed that Togo will participate in the AfCFTA Pilot Phase for selected products, allowing early movers to test the new origin certification system before full continental rollout. Companies are advised to review their supply chains and ensure that supporting documentation, including supplier declarations and manufacturing process records, meets the new evidentiary standards.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement