Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe,Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has said the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Certificates of Origin are now issued online, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation agenda and regional trade facilitation efforts.
The COMESA Certificate of Origin is a critical document used by exporters to claim preferential tariffs for goods traded within the COMESA region.
In a statement, ZIMRA advised all customs clearing agents, importers, exporters and other key stakeholders that COMESA Certificates of Origin are now being processed entirely online.
“The certificates are issued through the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window (ZeSW) platform, which has been interfaced with the COMESA electronic certificate of origin system,” said ZIMRA.
The move is in line with regional commitments to simplify, harmonise and digitalise trade documentation across COMESA member states, boosting intra-regional trade and efficiency.
ZIMRA said the new digital framework would streamline the process for exporters seeking to trade under the COMESA Free Trade Area, while eliminating inefficiencies associated with the manual system.
“ZIMRA hereby informs all its valued stakeholders that all applications and approvals of COMESA Certificates of Origin will now be processed in the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window platform.
“Any company wishing to export under the COMESA Trade Agreement should be registered on the ZeSW platform,” the authority said.
The migration to the digital system becomes mandatory as of 1 August 2025, after which no manual COMESA Certificates of Origin will be accepted or issued.
This development is expected to significantly reduce processing time, enhance the security of trade documents, and ensure real-time access for verification by customs administrations across the COMESA region.
The electronic certificate of origin is one of several ongoing initiatives under the COMESA Digital Free Trade Area programme, which seeks to automate trade procedures to foster a seamless trading environment.
ZIMRA has since urged all exporters and clearing agents to familiarise themselves with the new platform to ensure continued access to preferential trading terms under the COMESA framework.
The move comes as Zimbabwe continues to align with regional and international trade facilitation reforms aimed at enhancing competitiveness and ease of doing business.
Bongani Ndlovu