BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a95cde1488ed DTSTART:20260324T090000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20260324T120000Z LOCATION:\, SUMMARY:Training of trainers webinar on the AfCFTA non-tariff barriers (NTB s) online mechanism CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Intra-African trade remains a critical driver of economic integ ration and sustainable development across the continent. However\, non-tar iff barriers (NTBs) including complex customs procedures\, import/export r estrictions including those related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade\, continue to hinder smooth trade flows a mong African countries. To address these challenges\, the AfCFTA NTB Onlin e Mechanism (www.tradebarriers.africa) was established in 2019. This onlin e mechanism enables businesses and governments to report\, monitor\, and r esolve NTBs in real-time across participating AfCFTA State Parties. Despit e its potential\, many stakeholders\, particularly traders\, business asso ciations\, and trade officials still require technical capacity to use the platform effectively.In 2025\, the about twelve physical and virtual awar eness raising and training initiatives on the AfCFTA NTB Online Mechanism were conducted in Burundi\, Gabon\, Cameroon\, Rwanda\, Malawi\, Tanzania\ , Namibia\, Ghana\, Comoros\, Mozambique\, Zambia\, and Algeria\, where ab out 1000 private and public sector stakeholders were reached. The number o f registered users on the AfCFTA NTB Online Mechanism increased from 1410 users at the end of 2024 to 1911 users at the end of January 2026\, an inc rease of 501 users. In addition\, there was an increase in the interaction with the Mechanism with site visits going from 10\,039 to 15\,476 hits in the last one year.ObjectivesThe webinar seeks to:Introduce participants t o the purpose\, structure\, and functions of the AfCFTA NTB Online Mechani sm and the AfCFTA NTB Mobile Reporting Application (www.tradebarriers.afri ca).Demonstrate step-by-step procedures for registering\, reporting\, and following up on NTBs.Strengthen the capacity of private sector actors\, tr ade support institutions\, and government agencies to address NTBs effecti vely.Promote cooperation among regional stakeholders in resolving trade ba rriers.ParticipantsThe target audience will include the following\, among others:African Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Business Associations African Business Support OrganisationsPrivate sector representatives (expo rters\, importers\, traders\, logistics and freight forwarders\, etc.)\,Na tional NTB focal Points\,REC NTB Focal Points\,State Party Representatives from government Departments and Agencies responsible for trade and indust ry\, Agriculture\, Customs\, Standards\, Logistics\, Finance\, etc.Members of AfCFTA National Implementation Committees\, NTB National Monitoring Co mmittees\, National Trade Facilitation Committees etc.Expected OutcomesBy the end of the session\, participants will:Understand the AfCFTA Framework for identification\, reporting and elimination of non-tariff barriers.Und erstand the functionality and benefits of the AfCFTA NTB Online Mechanism. Be able to report and follow up on NTBs autonomously.Contribute to a more transparent and efficient trade environment under the AfCFTA.Certificate i ssued for participants.<\;p>\;Intra-African trade remains a critical d river of economic integration and sustainable development across the conti nent. However\, non-tariff barriers (NTBs) including complex customs proce dures\, import/export restrictions including those related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade\, continue to hind er smooth trade flows among African countries. To address these challenges \, the AfCFTA NTB Online Mechanism (www.tradebarriers.africa) was establis hed in 2019. This online mechanism enables businesses and governments to r eport\, monitor\, and resolve NTBs in real-time across participating AfCFT A State Parties. Despite its potential\, many stakeholders\, particularly traders\, business associations\, and trade officials still require techni cal capacity to use the platform effectively.<\;/p>\;<\;p>\;In 202 5\, the about twelve physical and virtual awareness raising and training i nitiatives on the AfCFTA NTB Online Mechanism were conducted in Burundi\, Gabon\, Cameroon\, Rwanda\, Malawi\, Tanzania\, Namibia\, Ghana\, Comoros\ , Mozambique\, Zambia\, and Algeria\, where about 1000 private and public sector stakeholders were reached. The number of registered users on the Af CFTA NTB Online Mechanism increased from 1410 users at the end of 2024 to 1911 users at the end of January 2026\, an increase of 501 users. In addit ion\, there was an increase in the interaction with the Mechanism with sit e visits going from 10\,039 to 15\,476 hits in the last one year.<\;/p&g t\;<\;p>\;<\;strong>\;Objectives<\;/strong>\;<\;/p>\;<\; p>\;The webinar seeks to:<\;/p>\;<\;ul>\;<\;li data-list-item- id="\;e246ce38a4a1604f168bcaa70ddc9c4a1\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\ nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/training-trainers-webinar-afcfta-non-tariff-ba rriers-ntbs-online-mechanism DTSTAMP:20260831T185425Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR