……to the enhancement of Trade access to the COMESA market
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
EZULWINI – Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) has launched an Electronic Certificate of Origin to enhance trade access across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Acting Director of Communications and Marketing, Ntobeko Dlamini said the launch of the eCertificate of Origin will empower local traders to expand their businesses across any of the 21 COMESA member states.
COMESA members are Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
COMESA is an African economic community that was formed in 1994 to create a large economic and trading unit. The organization’s goals include: Removing internal trade barriers and tariffs, Introducing a common external tariff structure, Simplifying procedures, and Promoting peace and security in the region.
Dlamini explained that this innovation reaffirms ERS’s commitment to enhancing convenience and efficiency in trade, enabling businesses to access broader markets with reduced barriers.
She said the eCertificate of Origin is a fully digital version of the traditional Certificate of Origin, now accessible through the ERS ASYCUDA platform.
“This online solution allows Eswatini’s exporters to apply for and receive their certificates directly from their homes or offices, eliminating the need for physical visits to ERS offices. With this streamlined approach, exporters benefit from reduced documentation costs, quicker clearance times, and a more secure verification process, with data accessible to both ERS and the importing countries through the COMESA portal,” she said.
Developed with technical expertise from the COMESA Secretariat and supported by EU funding through the COMESA EDF 11 Trade Facilitation Programme, she said the eCertificate of Origin replaces manual processes, easing trade requirements and fostering smoother cross-border exchanges.
“Eswatini is one of three pilot countries, alongside Malawi and Zambia, underscoring the nation’s commitment to leading trade facilitation initiatives within the region,” she said.
Dlamini explained that the implementation of the eCertificate of Origin is a testament to ERS’s dedication to providing innovative solutions that support the growth of local businesses. She said the digital system minimizes paperwork, reduces data inaccuracies, and protects against document forgery, contributing to a more efficient trade environment.
She disclosed that the initiative has already seen the registration of 44 local companies, with 22 selected to participate in a pilot program.
“Additionally, ERS has equipped border officers with 17 laptops, funded by COMESA, to ensure smooth processing of the eCertificates of Origin. This launch signals a new era of trade facilitation, positioning Eswatini as a regional leader in leveraging technology for economic empowerment,” she said.
Dlamini further encouraged traders to register for export to the COMESA through this solution in ASYCUDA and take full advantage of this resource, designed to facilitate easier access to markets beyond Eswatini’s borders. This launch marks another milestone in ERS’s journey to drive economic growth through innovative, client-centred solutions.
