Imagine a nation's economic lifeline—its customs authority—evolving from a rigid checkpoint into a dynamic bridge connecting government, businesses, and citizens to drive trade facilitation and economic development. This vision is becoming reality in Cape Verde through the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, spearheaded by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
With funding from the Swedish government, WCO is developing a tailored assistance program for Cape Verde Customs (CVCA) to implement a stakeholder engagement strategy based on international best practices. The initiative's cornerstone is establishing a structured consultation forum to enhance communication and collaboration between customs and various economic actors.
The Brussels Breakthrough
From December 9-13, 2013, CVCA's designated stakeholder engagement team convened with WCO experts in Brussels to finalize key components of the engagement strategy and lay groundwork for Cape Verde's first structured consultation forum. The meetings focused on refining strategic elements and establishing prerequisites for constructive dialogue with major stakeholders.
Strategic Engagement: The Heart of Modernization
Stakeholder engagement strategies have become essential for customs modernization. Such approaches increase policy transparency and public acceptance while fostering public-private cooperation to combat smuggling, tax evasion, and other illicit activities that threaten economic security. By establishing effective communication channels, customs authorities can better understand business needs, streamline clearance processes, reduce trade costs, and improve efficiency.
WACAM's Multifaceted Support
The WACAM project provides CVCA with comprehensive assistance:
- Strategy Development: WCO experts collaborated with CVCA to create a practical stakeholder engagement framework tailored to Cape Verde's context, defining participants, methodologies, and communication mechanisms.
- Consultation Forum Establishment: WCO helped create a structured platform for regular dialogue between customs and stakeholders to discuss policies, clearance procedures, and trade facilitation measures.
- Capacity Building: The project includes training programs to enhance CVCA officers' communication skills, negotiation techniques, and crisis management abilities—critical competencies for effective stakeholder engagement.
2014: Implementing the Vision
In 2014, WACAM continued supporting CVCA's implementation efforts through:
- Advisory Committee Formation: Assistance in establishing a multi-stakeholder oversight body to monitor strategy implementation and provide policy recommendations.
- Enhanced External Communications: Strengthening CVCA's public outreach through press mechanisms, social media management, and awareness campaigns to improve understanding of customs operations.
- Advanced Negotiation Training: Specialized instruction to help customs officials achieve consensus through effective stakeholder negotiations.
The Benefits of Engagement
Stakeholder participation yields significant advantages for customs modernization:
- Increased policy transparency and public acceptance
- Streamlined trade processes that reduce costs and boost efficiency
- Enhanced collaboration against smuggling and tax evasion
- Improved public satisfaction through responsive service improvements
Cape Verde's Customs Transformation
The WACAM project has injected vital momentum into Cape Verde's customs modernization. By implementing its stakeholder engagement strategy, CVCA is building a more open, transparent, and efficient administration system that promises economic benefits while offering valuable lessons for other developing nations.
Cape Verde's modernization journey represents more than procedural upgrades—it signifies a philosophical shift from unilateral control to collaborative governance. Through strengthened stakeholder partnerships, CVCA is contributing to national prosperity, with WCO support serving as a crucial catalyst for this transformative process.