from PEDRO AGOSTO in Luanda, Angola
Angola Bureau
LUANDA, (CAJ News) — ANGOLA has begun implementing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) electronic certificate of origin (e-CoO), a key milestone paving the way for the country’s formal entry into the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA).
The move follows approval by the SADC Committee of Ministers of Trade (CMT), which endorsed Angola’s accession to the regional trade bloc, with implementation expected to commence in January 2026.
The CMT also sanctioned a series of capacity-building programmes to help Angola transition smoothly into the FTA framework.
The electronic certificate of origin — an essential trade facilitation tool — verifies the origin of goods traded within the SADC region. This certification allows exporters to benefit from quota-free and duty-free access in line with the provisions of the SADC Protocol on Trade.
According to Alcides Monteiro, Senior Programme Officer for Customs at the SADC Secretariat, Angola’s adoption of the e-CoO marks a major step toward full trade integration within Southern Africa.
“The electronic certificate of origin is part of SADC’s broader Trade Facilitation Programme, aimed at reducing border delays, improving transparency, and enhancing regional competitiveness,” Monteiro said.
He added that eight SADC member states have already migrated from manual certification to electronic systems, aligning with the bloc’s goal of digitizing trade processes and promoting efficiency across borders.
The e-CoO system forms a cornerstone of SADC’s Trade Facilitation Programme, endorsed by the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration. The initiative reflects SADC’s long-term vision of creating a seamless, technology-driven regional trade environment that stimulates growth and investment.
Angola, one of Africa’s top oil and diamond producers, is the largest country in Southern Africa by land area.
Since joining SADC in 1996, the country has sought deeper economic integration with its regional partners. The implementation of the e-CoO and its expected entry into the FTA in 2026 are seen as critical steps toward diversifying Angola’s economy beyond oil, boosting non-oil exports, and attracting foreign investment.
By adopting the electronic certification system, Angola positions itself to benefit from smoother trade flows, reduced costs for exporters, and greater participation in regional value chains.
— CAJ News