In order to successfully implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it is important that a critical mass be capacitated on various aspects of the AfCFTA and create awareness amongst stakeholders to ensure that all stakeholders are made aware of what to expect and how the AfCFTA will impact on them and the sectors they are involved in.
In readiness to implement the AfCFTA, the EAC with the support of GIZ has embarked on capacity building program commencing with training of trainers sessions including on the AfCFTA Rules of Origin. As customs officers are central to the roll-out and actual application of the AfCFTA instruments, an in-depth understanding of the AfCFTA by customs officials and a high level of awareness by all stakeholders is of great importance.
Accordingly, the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with GIZ has conducted two training sessions for customs officers so far. One in Kigali, Rwanda, 26 to 30 September 2022 and in Mombasa, Kenya, 24 to 28 October 2022.
" GIZ is a true partner, for EACS to ensure that all partner states are on the same page in terms of its integration process, it needs a lot of resources -technical and financial and GIZ is one of the partners who supports the EAC integration process, including capacity building and sensitization on the AfCFTA." Steven Analo thanked GIZ for its continued support to EAC in a quote from his closing remarks today.
Background
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the Pan-African instrument to boost intra-African trade. It aims at creating a single African market by deepening the economic integration of the continent.  EAC-GIZ is supporting the EAC in AfCFTA negotiations including investment, intellectual property right and competition. The GIZ support to the AfCFTA is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Find out more information on AfCFTA here.