Ghana • West Africa • Continental

Strategic Trade Advisory for a Connected Africa

Expert guidance in customs modernization, trade facilitation, and regional integration—built on institutional experience and continental partnerships.

37+
Years Experience
15+
Partner Organizations
100+
Projects Delivered

Built on Institutional Experience, Driven by Continental Impact

TransOrigin Advisory Ltd provides strategic trade governance and customs modernization advisory services across West Africa and the continent. We bridge policy, practice, and technology to help governments, institutions, and private sector actors navigate complex trade systems.

Our work draws from deep institutional knowledge of customs operations, tariff administration, rules of origin, and regional trade frameworks—from ECOWAS protocols to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

We partner with multilateral organizations, development agencies, and private sector leaders to design, implement, and optimize trade facilitation systems that promote compliance, efficiency, and regional integration.

Jonathan Dabrah

Founder & Principal Advisor

Jonathan Dabrah brings 37 years of senior leadership in customs and trade policy to TransOrigin Advisory. As former Head of Tariff & Trade at Ghana Customs, he led critical reforms in tariff classification, rules of origin implementation, and trade systems modernization.

His institutional experience spans policy development with the World Customs Organization (WCO), capacity building programs with GIZ and PwC, and advisory roles in AfCFTA and ECOWAS trade initiatives. Jonathan combines technical depth with strategic vision to deliver pragmatic, high-impact solutions.

Comprehensive Trade Advisory Services

We provide end-to-end support across the trade policy lifecycle—from strategic planning and regulatory design to operational implementation and capacity development.

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Trade Facilitation

Strategic advisory on WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation, single window systems, authorized economic operators (AEO), and coordinated border management frameworks.

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Customs Procedures & Compliance

Expert guidance on customs modernization, procedural reform, clearance optimization, post-clearance audit, and compliance risk management aligned with international standards.

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Rules of Origin

Technical support for rules of origin design, implementation, and administration under AfCFTA, ECOWAS, EPA, and other preferential trade regimes. Origin verification and certification advisory.

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AfCFTA & Regional Trade Agreements

Policy analysis and implementation support for the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional economic communities. Tariff liberalization, non-tariff barriers, and trade remedies.

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Tariff Administration

Tariff classification, valuation policy, tariff structure reform, revenue modeling, and harmonized system implementation. Liaison with WCO on nomenclature and classification disputes.

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Customs Risk & Valuation

Risk management frameworks, selectivity systems, valuation database development, and WTO Valuation Agreement compliance. Transfer pricing and related party transaction advisory.

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Trade Systems & Digitalization

Advisory on customs automation systems including ICUMS, SIGMAT, ASYCUDA, and TRADENET platforms. Digital integration, data governance, and interoperability design.

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Capacity Building & Training

Tailored training programs for customs officials, government agencies, and private sector on trade policy, origin determination, valuation techniques, and compliance best practices.

Technical Depth Across Trade Governance

We operate at the intersection of policy, operations, and technology—delivering solutions grounded in regulatory frameworks and operational realities.

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Policy & Regulatory Frameworks

  • WTO agreements (TFA, Valuation, Rules of Origin)
  • Revised Kyoto Convention implementation
  • AfCFTA protocols and annexes
  • ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET)
  • EPA and bilateral trade agreements
  • National trade and industrial policy alignment
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Operational Implementation

  • Customs clearance process optimization
  • Single window deployment and governance
  • Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs
  • Border post coordination and infrastructure
  • Post-clearance audit methodologies
  • Compliance measurement and performance indicators
3

Technical Standards

  • Harmonized System classification and updates
  • Origin criteria and substantial transformation rules
  • Valuation methods and transfer pricing
  • Risk profiling and selectivity algorithms
  • Data standards and electronic messaging (UN/EDIFACT)
  • Trade statistics and economic analysis
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Systems & Technology

  • ICUMS (Integrated Customs Management System)
  • SIGMAT (Ghana's customs automation platform)
  • ASYCUDA World and next-generation systems
  • TRADENET single window solutions
  • Ghana.gov digital integration
  • API integration and interoperability design

Trusted by Leading Organizations

We collaborate with multilateral institutions, development partners, and private sector leaders to advance trade modernization across the continent.

Professional Training & Development

We design and deliver targeted training programs that build institutional capacity and technical competence across the trade ecosystem.

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For Government & Customs Officials

  • Advanced tariff classification and HS code determination
  • Rules of origin verification and certificate issuance
  • Customs valuation methods and related party transactions
  • Risk management and selectivity system design
  • Post-clearance audit techniques and compliance programs
  • AfCFTA implementation and preferential trade regimes
  • WTO agreements and international customs standards
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For Private Sector & Trade Professionals

  • Import/export compliance and documentation requirements
  • Utilizing preferential trade agreements and origin benefits
  • Navigating customs procedures and clearance processes
  • Transfer pricing implications for customs valuation
  • Understanding AEO programs and trusted trader benefits
  • ICUMS and digital customs platform training
  • Harmonized System updates and tariff planning
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Training Modalities

  • In-person workshops and technical seminars
  • Virtual training sessions and webinars
  • On-site capacity building within client organizations
  • Customized programs tailored to organizational needs
  • Train-the-trainer programs for institutional sustainability
  • Certification courses in partnership with WCO
  • Ongoing advisory support post-training
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Regional & Continental Programs

  • ECOWAS regional harmonization workshops
  • AfCFTA sensitization and implementation training
  • Cross-border coordination and information sharing
  • Regional trade facilitation committee support
  • Knowledge exchange programs between customs administrations
  • Technical assistance missions to member states
  • Peer learning networks and communities of practice

Trade Policy Analysis & Commentary

Expert perspectives on evolving trade policies, regulatory developments, and implementation challenges across Africa.

AfCFTA

Navigating Rules of Origin Under AfCFTA: Challenges and Opportunities

An analysis of the technical and administrative challenges countries face in implementing AfCFTA rules of origin, with practical recommendations for customs administrations and traders.

January 2026
Digitalization

The Future of Customs Automation in West Africa

Examining the transition from ASYCUDA to next-generation platforms like ICUMS and SIGMAT, and what it means for trade efficiency and revenue collection.

December 2025
Trade Policy

ECOWAS Common External Tariff: Five Years of Implementation

A retrospective on CET implementation across ECOWAS member states, highlighting successes, persistent challenges, and lessons for regional tariff harmonization.

November 2025
Compliance

Post-Clearance Audit: Building Effective Compliance Programs

Best practices for designing risk-based post-clearance audit systems that balance revenue assurance with trade facilitation objectives.

October 2025
Valuation

Transfer Pricing and Customs Valuation: Bridging the Gap

Understanding the intersection of tax transfer pricing rules and WTO customs valuation principles in related party transactions and intra-group trade.

September 2025
Regional Integration

Single Window Systems and Regional Connectivity

How national single window platforms can be interconnected to facilitate cross-border trade and support regional economic integration under AfCFTA.

August 2025

Let's Discuss Your Trade Governance Needs

Whether you're navigating AfCFTA implementation, modernizing customs systems, or building institutional capacity—we bring the expertise and partnerships to deliver results.

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Accra, Ghana
Serving West Africa & the Continent
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info@transoriginadvisory.com
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+233 (0) 24 XXX XXXX
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Available for consultancy, training,
and advisory engagements