On 14 August 2024, the WCO, in collaboration with the ESA ROCB, hosted an online sensitization session on the WCO Trade Tool Platform, under the framework of the EU-funded HS Africa Programme. This initiative supports Customs administrations and Regional Training Centres in the ESA region by providing five-year full-access licences to the platform, enabling streamlined access to critical information on the Harmonized System, Rules of Origin, and Valuation.

The session offered practical guidance on navigating the platform’s features, including advanced search functionality, interactive team collaboration tools, and access to historical HS changes. This investment in digital resources is set to boost efficiency, enhance technical capacity, and promote harmonised application of trade procedures across the region.