As global trade competition intensifies, enhancing trade facilitation and reducing operational costs for businesses has become a priority for customs administrations worldwide. The Gambia, serving as a crucial hub in West Africa, plays a significant role in regional economic development through its trade facilitation capabilities.
To support the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in improving trade efficiency, the World Customs Organization (WCO) dispatched an expert mission from March 7-11, 2022 under the framework of the UK's HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and UNCTAD Trade Facilitation Capacity Building Programme. The mission aimed to assist GRA and other border agencies in implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and advancing Coordinated Border Management (CBM) measures.
Project Background and Objectives
Global supply chains face numerous challenges, with trade barriers and cumbersome customs procedures significantly hindering international trade. The AEO program, a key WCO initiative, certifies compliant businesses with simplified clearance procedures to enhance supply chain security and efficiency. CBM emphasizes inter-agency coordination to reduce redundant inspections and improve overall clearance processes.
Despite its strategic West African location, The Gambia's trade facilitation levels remain underdeveloped, making AEO and CBM implementation particularly valuable. The WCO mission sought to:
- Enhance GRA's understanding and application of AEO and CBM frameworks
- Optimize customs clearance procedures to reduce trade costs
- Strengthen inter-agency cooperation among border authorities
- Improve The Gambia's overall trade environment to attract investment
Capacity Building Activities
Since September 2021, WCO has provided weekly virtual training to GRA using WCO-developed tools and methodologies. These sessions covered AEO fundamentals and CBM implementation, featuring expert contributions from Burundi Customs, South African Revenue Service, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The online program included:
- Comprehensive AEO training on principles, certification standards, and risk assessment
- Practical CBM implementation guidance covering information sharing and joint inspections
- Case studies from other WCO members
- Interactive problem-solving sessions
Field Assessment and Stakeholder Engagement
The March 2022 in-person mission, comprising experts from HMRC and Uganda Revenue Authority, conducted intensive field assessments:
- Evaluated port operations at Banjul seaport
- Assessed land border procedures at Amdalai crossing with Senegal
- Conducted focus groups with GRA teams including ASYCUDA World implementers
Key Outcomes and Next Steps
A joint AEO-CBM workshop convened 40 participants from government and private sectors, including Acting GRA Commissioner Alieu Bittaye who acknowledged WCO and UK support. The session facilitated substantive dialogue on implementation challenges and solutions.
Under HMRC's new "Accelerating Trade Facilitation" program (2022-2025), WCO will continue supporting The Gambia through:
- Refining AEO certification standards and operational protocols
- Enhancing inter-agency coordination mechanisms
- Strengthening risk management capabilities
- Expanding professional training programs
- Increasing private sector awareness of AEO benefits
This sustained technical cooperation aims to significantly elevate The Gambia's trade facilitation performance, contributing to broader economic development objectives.