The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE) commenced a three-day sensitisation workshop on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Rules of Origin at Bakadaji Hotel, marking a significant step in preparing Gambian businesses for continental trade opportunities.
The workshop, organised in collaboration with The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) and supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to build capacity among private sector operators on AfCFTA implementation and compliance procedures.
The initiative aligns with Gambia’s National AfCFTA Strategy, a 10-year framework designed to expand the country’s trade horizons, attract investment, and stimulate industrial growth. The Gambia signed the AfCFTA Agreement in 2018 and ratified it in 2019, demonstrating its commitment to continental economic integration.
“This workshop is critical as it focuses on the AfCFTA Rules of Origin, a foundational component that determines which goods qualify for preferential treatment under the agreement,” said Deputy Permanent Secretary Mamadi Dampha, speaking on behalf of the Trade Minister. “As The Gambia is on the verge of participating in AfCFTA preferential trade, understanding and correctly applying these rules is essential for our private sector to benefit from duty-free access to continental markets.”
Progress on Trade Liberalisation
Through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), The Gambia has already submitted its tariff offers in line with AfCFTA requirements, paving the way for progressive elimination of tariffs on 90% of goods traded across the continent. The government has also been working to align customs procedures and trade facilitation infrastructure, including ports, border posts, and logistics systems, with intra-African trade demands.
Beyond goods trade, The Gambia has made commitments in priority services sectors and is actively reviewing legislation, including the GIEPA Act 2015, to better align regulatory and investment frameworks with AfCFTA objectives, particularly the Protocol on Investment.
Ms. Mariko Haga, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division at Japan’s Customs and Tariff Bureau, expressed gratitude for the workshop initiative, noting that AfCFTA is expected to eliminate tariffs within Africa and standardize trade rules to promote economic development and strengthen global competitiveness.
“Since 2021, WCO has been providing technical assistance in collaboration with JICA,” Haga said. “The circumstances surrounding customs are undergoing dramatic changes, and expectations are higher than ever before, not only in terms of revenue collection but also in international trade.”
Alhagie K. Mbye, Commissioner – Customs and Excise, commended the importance of the meeting and appreciated the Ministry’s initiative in organizing the workshop.
About AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement is one of the flagship projects under the African Union Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want. It aims to create a single market for goods and services, promote intra-African trade, and enhance economic integration across the continent.
The workshop represents a crucial step in ensuring Gambian businesses can take full advantage of preferential market access under the agreement while maintaining compliance with continental trade regulations.
