AfCFTA Rules of Origin: Cameroon’s Strategic Push to Unlock Continental Trade Potential
A critical workshop in Douala, running from June 29 to July 2, 2026, underscores Cameroon’s strategic imperative to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for enhanced export growth. Approximately 15 Cameroonian companies are participating in this intensive program, jointly organised by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and Cameroon’s National Shippers’ Council (CNCC). The initiative is designed to equip businesses with the knowledge to effectively utilise tariff preferences available under continental trade agreements, with a particular focus on the AfCFTA.
This technical workshop addresses a significant economic challenge: the relatively low penetration of Cameroonian exports into African markets. In 2023, Africa constituted a mere 12.7% of Cameroon’s total exports and 9.5% of its imports. This modest share stands in stark contrast to the AfCFTA’s ambition of fostering preferential access to a continental market encompassing over 1.3 billion consumers. The insights from Business in Cameroon highlight the urgency of this situation.
The Douala workshop is an integral component of the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, a continent-wide initiative dedicated to clarifying and implementing rules of origin. The programme specifically targets exporters, manufacturers, and business associations, aiming to deepen their understanding and application of origin requirements in cross-border trade, thereby maximising benefits.
Rules of origin are a cornerstone of the AfCFTA, serving as the determinant of a product’s economic nationality and its eligibility for preferential tariffs. For goods produced or substantially transformed within Cameroon to qualify for these reduced tariffs, they must rigorously adhere to the origin criteria stipulated by the AfCFTA. However, a pervasive challenge remains: many businesses struggle with the practical application of these rules. A lack of comprehensive understanding can lead to missed tariff preferences, customs clearance delays, increased operational costs, and potential disputes over product origin. This issue transcends mere administrative hurdles, presenting a significant commercial impediment for Cameroonian enterprises.
A key objective of the workshop is the establishment of a national cadre of experts proficient in the AfCFTA’s rules of origin. According to WCO expert Guillaume Gerout, these specialists will be trained in the underlying principles, eligibility criteria, and certification procedures. Subsequently, they will be instrumental in disseminating this expertise to customs officials, businesses, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders within the logistics value chain.
The broader aim is to transition businesses from a theoretical appreciation of trade agreements to their practical implementation. This necessitates a strengthening of supply chain management, meticulous documentation of input origins, securement of certificates of origin, and, where required, adjustments to production processes to align with AfCFTA stipulations. The collaborative effort involving the WCO, EU, and CNCC synergises international technical expertise, European institutional backing, and local trade facilitation capabilities. Regional bodies, including the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), are also lending their support to harmonise practices and cultivate a regional network of trainers. Jacob Kotcho Bongkwaha, Director of the Common Market at the ECCAS Commission, noted that 400 Central African products already qualify for preferential treatment under the AfCFTA, with the next phase focused on expanding this list and generating greater export opportunities.
Despite the operationalisation of the AfCFTA framework, evidenced by early shipments from companies such as GIC Afatex (safou fruit, dried pineapple, ginger to Ghana), Cameroon Tea Estate and Ndawara Tea Estate (tea to Ghana), Inoda Industries Sarl (resin), and Alucam (aluminum ingots to Algeria), the uptake among Cameroonian businesses remains limited. To foster broader participation, the country must address the need for more eligible exporters, enhanced product quality, robust trade documentation, and reduced administrative barriers to cross-border commerce.
Consequently, training on rules of origin has become a pivotal element of Cameroon’s strategy to expand its footprint in African markets. For exporters, mastering these rules promises reduced tariff costs, improved competitiveness, and secured access to regional markets. For customs authorities, it signifies enhanced reliability of origin certificates and a reduction in border disputes.
The ultimate success of this initiative, however, hinges on sustained and multifaceted efforts beyond a single workshop. It requires enhanced coordination among public institutions, greater procedural harmonisation across ECCAS, increased digitalisation of customs processes, accessible dispute resolution mechanisms, and unwavering political commitment from member states to transform the AfCFTA into a genuine engine of trade integration. For Cameroon, which is actively seeking to diversify its export markets beyond traditional partners, the objective is clear: to translate the AfCFTA from a continental promise into tangible business opportunities.
