Project delays, budget overruns, and misaligned objectives—these persistent challenges in customs modernization efforts are now being addressed head-on by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). The agency is actively enhancing its project management capabilities to more effectively implement the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
The Imperative for Trade Facilitation Reform in Zimbabwe
As a landlocked African nation, Zimbabwe recognizes that trade facilitation is crucial for economic development. Streamlining customs procedures and reducing trade costs could significantly improve its competitiveness in global value chains. ZIMRA understands that proper implementation of the WTO TFA is key to achieving these goals, yet insufficient project management expertise has historically hindered reform progress.
ZIMRA took its first major step in September 2017 by approving a revised implementation plan for the World Customs Organization's (WCO) Mercator Programme in Zimbabwe, which identified priority reform areas. To bolster ZIMRA's training, human resources, and project management capacity for implementing the TFA, the WCO conducted a specialized Customs Project Management Training Workshop in Harare from January 29 to February 2, 2018.
Workshop Focus: Building Practical Project Management Skills
The training aimed to equip ZIMRA with professional project management capabilities to implement international trade facilitation standards effectively. The comprehensive curriculum covered essential project management components:
- Project initiation and planning: Defining objectives, developing detailed plans, and identifying risks
- Project execution and control: Resource allocation, progress monitoring, and problem resolution
- Project closure and evaluation: Finalizing deliverables, documenting lessons learned, and assessing outcomes
- Risk management: Identifying, evaluating, and mitigating project risks
- Communication management: Ensuring effective stakeholder engagement
- Team management: Building and motivating high-performing teams
Through lectures, case studies, and group discussions, participants gained exposure to modern project management techniques and best practices. Special emphasis was placed on project governance—establishing clear decision-making processes, oversight mechanisms, and accountability frameworks to align projects with organizational strategy.
Outcomes and Impact: Energizing Zimbabwe's Trade Facilitation Agenda
The workshop trained 18 ZIMRA officials (7 women and 11 men), primarily those managing reforms and modernization projects under the Mercator Programme. Participants not only acquired theoretical knowledge but also practical application opportunities. These newly enhanced skills will enable better project planning, execution, and control—critical for advancing Zimbabwe's trade facilitation objectives.
ZIMRA representatives emphasized the workshop's timeliness, noting that Zimbabwe's parliament is currently considering ratification of the WTO TFA. The agency expressed appreciation for the training while highlighting the need to raise awareness about project management's strategic importance, particularly regarding governance, among senior leadership.
Funding and Future Collaboration: International Support Continues
The workshop received financial backing from the UK's HM Revenue & Customs-WCO-UNCTAD project and Finland's ESA Programme II, demonstrating international commitment to Zimbabwe's trade reforms. The WCO anticipates continued partnership with ZIMRA under the Mercator Programme framework, offering tailored technical assistance and capacity-building support to overcome implementation challenges.
Recommendations: Strengthening Governance for Sustainable Reform
While the training yielded positive results, ensuring lasting impact requires additional measures:
- Establishing robust project governance frameworks with clear roles, decision-making protocols, and accountability mechanisms
- Promoting project management awareness across all organizational levels, particularly among senior leadership
- Creating centralized knowledge repositories for project management resources and best practices
- Enhancing international cooperation to exchange expertise and secure funding
- Implementing rigorous project evaluation processes to capture lessons learned
Through these initiatives, Zimbabwe can develop a comprehensive project management system to support its trade facilitation reforms and foster sustainable economic growth.