The WCO ESA Regional Office for Capacity Building in collaboration with International Trade Centre held a webinar on 25 November 2025, on the African Trade Observatory (ATO) providing participants with a comprehensive overview of the ATO project and its ongoing activities to enhance trade facilitation and support evidence-based decision-making across the region. The session highlighted the collaborative efforts between the ATO team and national Customs administrations, particularly in strengthening data collection systems, improving information-sharing mechanisms, and advancing regional integration. Participants were also updated on the implementation status of the ATO across WCO ESA Member States, including the progress achieved so far, the challenges that remain, and upcoming technical and capacity-building initiatives aimed at ensuring full operationalization.
The ATO is an online system that strengthens trade information across Africa by allowing the monitoring of regional integration, competitiveness, market access, broader procedures, and the usage of trade preferences in Africa. ATO also equips Customs Officials to sustain quality trade data and trains policymakers and business people to analyze and use the trade data. ATO, offers a database of trade information, including information and business opportunities and a business directory, as well as a tool for policymakers to negotiate and monitor tariff removal.
The WCO ESA ROCB Director, Ms. Josephine Manyasi ‘ndc’ (K), welcomed all participants and expressed appreciation for their attendance despite demanding schedules. She reiterated the ROCB’s commitment to supporting AfCFTA implementation through capacity-building activities related to the ATO, noting that the platform is a key tool for informed decision-making and promotion of intra-African trade. Ms. Manyasi also thanked WCO ESA Member Administrations for sharing updates on ATO implementation within their countries, emphasizing that their input would help identify best practices and address existing challenges. She encouraged participants to engage actively in the session and to share the knowledge gained with colleagues who were unable to attend.
Dr. Jaqueline Salguero Huaman from the International Trade Centre (ITC) delivered a detailed presentation on the ATO online platform, accessible at https://ato.africa/ Her presentation covered the platform’s indicators and included a live demonstration highlighting its analytical capabilities. She highlighted the importance of the platform in providing timely, reliable trade data to support Customs administrations and policymakers in developing effective, data-driven strategies.
The other trainers from the International Trade Centre were Mr. Mathieu Loridan and Mr. Cyril Chalendard.
