In its continued effort to support African Countries in their national and regional Trade Facilitation reforms, UNCTAD will organize the First African Forum for National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs) in cooperation with the International Trade Centre, United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), United Nations Commission for Africa, World Bank Group, ​World Customs Organization, World Trade Organization, among other organizations.

The Forum aim was to be the reference event in Africa where stakeholders from the public and private sector, ccould boost together their capacities towards the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The Forum’s objectives were three-fold: 

• Knowledge sharing: The forum invited world-wide experts to update participants on the latest trends in the implementation of the WTO TFA at the national and the regional level. Experts also guided members of the NTFCs on how to reap the benefits from digital economy and the latest technologies such as blockchain, trade portals among others
• Promoting best practices: Policy makers, Customs officers, and business representatives from 54 African Countries steered the discussions on the success factors and lessons learnt in the implementation of Trade Facilitation reforms and solutions for challenges
• Matchmaking for cooperation: The event offered a unique opportunity for African Countries to get information on the available Trade Facilitation programmes in the region. Participants were given the opportunity to meet with bilateral donors as well as regional and international organizations during a Trade Fair and networking activities

The meeting was open to members of the NTFCs from all countries that had been nominated to attend the meeting. Donors, international agencies and regional organisations were also invited to attend.

See here for full details