The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched its electronic certificate of origin (e-CO), a groundbreaking digital system aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and combating fraud within the region.

At the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, described the initiative as a transformative step toward seamless cross-border trade. Representing ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, Director of Customs Union and Taxation, Mr. Salifou Tiemtore, delivered her remarks.

“This initiative will significantly impact the cross-border movement of goods in the ECOWAS region,” said Toure-Litse, emphasizing its role in addressing challenges tied to trade liberalization.

She highlighted the unique difficulties faced by West African nations under free trade agreements, including weak industrial capacity and reliance on border taxes. Fraud and inefficiencies in the manual processing of certificates of origin have further complicated trade.

“The manual process for applying, delivering, and approving certificates of origin has been prone to fraud, eroding confidence in the proof of origin and denying countries the benefits of trade liberalization,” Toure-Litse explained.

The e-CO system, developed over a decade, integrates information and communication technology into regional trade processes. It builds on ECOWAS efforts to digitize trade instruments, including the automation of community transit procedures and reforms to the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme.

Since 2019, ECOWAS has worked on a regional e-CO Hub to connect Customs administrations in exporting and importing countries. The platform ensures secure, electronic transmission of digitally signed and Customs-approved certificates of origin, enhancing transparency and reducing fraud.

“The newly launched system eliminates manual signatures, reduces fraud, enhances transparency, and streamlines cross-border movement of goods,” said Toure-Litse. She added that the e-CO Hub would save time, boost confidence in trade processes, and encourage increased intra-regional trade.

Urging stakeholders to embrace the digital transformation, Toure-Litse said, “We must collectively embrace this initiative to realize the full potential of trade liberalization in our region.”