In a major step toward strengthening regional trade integration, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the GIZ AfCFTA Support Programme, hosted a regional training workshop for freight forwarders on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Rules of Origin. The workshop, held from 8–10 September in Johannesburg, South Africa, was delivered in partnership with the World Customs Organisation and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The training brought together freight forwarder associations from 14 SADC Member States, marking an important milestone in building operational capacity to support AfCFTA implementation. Participants were equipped with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to interpret and apply Rules of Origin, an essential requirement for accessing preferential trade benefits under AfCFTA.
As key intermediaries between exporters, importers, customs authorities, and transport providers, freight forwarders play a critical role in ensuring the smooth movement of goods across borders. With AfCFTA set to eliminate tariffs on 90% of goods and deepen regional integration, their role is more critical than ever.
The workshop addressed common pitfalls such as misapplication of origin rules, which can lead to costly delays, penalties, and loss of preferential treatment. Through practical exercises and real-world scenarios, participants gained the tools to ensure accurate origin determination and regulatory compliance.
This initiative contributes to a more harmonised and efficient trade environment across the SADC region. By empowering freight forwarders, the training supports broader goals of trade facilitation, economic diversification, and private sector competitiveness under AfCFTA.
Participants called for further targeted trainings on specific origin-related concepts. In response, the SADC Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing capacity building and announced plans for continued engagement with Member States and the private sector.
