The ECOWAS Commission has initiated a series of projects aimed at eliminating non-tariff barriers, reducing trade costs at borders, improving trade infrastructure, and automating customs procedures. A key component of this effort is the digitization of the ECOWAS Certificate of Origin (e-CO), which includes the automation of its acquisition, transmission, and reception. These initiatives align with ECOWAS broader goal of creating a unified trade and investment area, eliminating tariffs and other barriers to the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
As part of this initiative, ECOWAS held a virtual meeting in June 2020 to assess the level of automation of the Certificate of Origin across its Member States and to establish an efficient method for the automated exchange of certificates between countries. This laid the foundation for developing technical and functional specifications necessary for automating the Certificate of Origin process.
The modernization of customs processes in ECOWAS is a key step toward facilitating trade and improving competitiveness in the region. Four countries — Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria — have been selected as pilot states based on their progress in automating the Certificate of Origin process at the national level.
The following objectives were proposed:
[ a ] Develop a Secured e-Hub Platform: The e-Hub should include a standard API for integration between national customs systems and the ECOWAS system. It must ensure secure transmission and routing of certificates and provide statistical data to support regional monitoring.
[ b ] Middleware Development: A middleware/library capable of interfacing with member states' customs systems is essential to facilitate the exchange of Certificates of Origin. This middleware should also handle digital signing, validation, and receipt of certificates.
[ c ] Strengthen Authentication and Security: A robust Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system is recommended to secure electronic exchanges and digital signatures, enhancing trust and preventing fraud.
[ d ] ASYCUDA World Integration: Develop an e-Co module for the ASYCUDA World customs system, enabling seamless communication between the customs systems and the e-Hub.
[ e ] Capacity Building and Technical Support: Provide technical assistance and capacity-building programs for regional developers, customs officials, and technical teams to ensure proper deployment and operation of the eCO system across Member States.
[ f ] Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement mechanisms to monitor the impact of the eCO system, providing regular progress reports and recommendations for improvements. Ensure sustainability through a post-project strategy.
The successful implementation of this project will enhance trade efficiency, reduce barriers, and strengthen regional integration within ECOWAS, positioning it as a competitive economic bloc.
This ECOWAS project aims to automate and modernize customs processes, focusing on the Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO), eliminating non-tariff trade barriers, and facilitating intra-regional trade. The consultancy, central to this process, is tasked with developing and implementing a secure exchange platform (e-Co Hub), integrating member states' customs systems with international standards, and providing security through public key infrastructure (PKI). Key responsibilities include developing middleware for data exchange, creating APIs for system integration, and implementing robust authentication.
Key pillars of the project:
This automation will boost competitiveness and trust in trade within ECOWAS, improve fraud detection, secure trade flows, and create a regional database for monitoring and analysis.
The main address of the project can be found on the website Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO)