Imagine goods crossing borders like lightning, no longer hindered by lengthy waits and cumbersome procedures. Picture businesses operating with significantly reduced costs and improved profit margins, gaining greater competitiveness in global markets. This is no longer a distant dream but the ambitious vision Eswatini is actively building through its "Non-Stop Borders" initiative.
Eswatini, the beautiful southern African nation, is rapidly embracing global trade facilitation trends. With strong support from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and funding from the UK's HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the country is accelerating toward a trade-facilitated future through two key engines: Coordinated Border Management (CBM) and data standardization.
National Trade Facilitation Committee: The Driving Force
The National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) serves as Eswatini's central mechanism for trade facilitation, bringing together 10 key border agencies to optimize processes and improve information sharing. This dynamic team is reshaping the nation's trade landscape through:
Key missions:
- Coordinating border agencies to break down silos and establish efficient collaboration
- Streamlining border procedures by identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions
- Enhancing data sharing through unified platforms to eliminate information gaps
- Achieving the "Non-Stop Borders" vision of rapid goods movement
WCO's Accelerated Trade Facilitation Program
The WCO's program, funded by HMRC, provides crucial momentum for Eswatini's trade development through:
Core objectives:
- Strengthening trade facilitation to meet international standards
- Optimizing border management through CBM and data standardization
- Stimulating economic growth through improved trade environments
- Enhancing global competitiveness by reducing trade costs
The program focuses on practical implementations including CBM practices, data standardization, Time Release Studies (TRS), and capacity building for border agencies.
Coordinated Border Management: Breaking Down Barriers
CBM creates an integrated border management system by:
- Fostering inter-agency cooperation instead of isolated operations
- Establishing shared information systems to eliminate duplicate efforts
- Optimizing processes to reduce delays and costs
- Implementing risk-based approaches for efficient clearance
The implementation involves creating cross-agency working groups, developing standard operating procedures, establishing data-sharing platforms, and strengthening risk management frameworks.
Data Standardization: Creating a Common Language
Standardized data practices enable seamless communication between border agencies by:
- Adopting uniform data formats and definitions
- Developing a national data catalog aligned with WCO models
- Implementing robust data governance for quality and security
- Achieving full system interoperability by 2026
Time Release Studies: Identifying Bottlenecks
TRS serves as a diagnostic tool to:
- Measure actual border clearance times
- Pinpoint specific process inefficiencies
- Develop targeted improvement strategies
- Evaluate the impact of implemented changes
National Trade Facilitation Roadmap (2024-2026)
Eswatini's strategic plan outlines clear objectives:
- Full implementation of CBM practices
- Complete system interoperability by 2026
- Enhanced regional cooperation with neighboring countries
- Continuous capacity building for trade professionals
The roadmap focuses on simplifying procedures, increasing transparency, and establishing digital connections between all trade regulatory agencies.
Collaborative Success
The initiative has benefited from knowledge sharing with customs experts from Namibia, Zambia, and Nigeria through the WCO's Accelerated Trade Facilitation program. The CEO of the Eswatini Business Association emphasized the value of sustained cooperation between government, WCO, and HMRC, noting significant progress in implementing WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement measures including CBM, risk management, and Authorized Economic Operator programs.
Tax Authority Leads National Reform
Brightwell Nkambule, Commissioner of the Eswatini Revenue Service, stressed that CBM represents more than customs reform - it's a national transformation uniting all border agencies around shared goals of efficiency, transparency, and service to traders. The initiative supports comprehensive risk management and advances WCO's broader trade facilitation and digitalization agenda.
Strong Institutional Commitment
High-level participation from government officials and private sector partners demonstrates broad support for this national priority. Key stakeholders including directors of trade, immigration, customs, and business associations have reviewed and validated implementation plans, reaffirming their commitment to achieve full operationalization by 2026.
WCO's Continued Partnership
The WCO anticipates ongoing collaboration with Eswatini to promote sustainable development through trade facilitation. This includes continued technical assistance, sharing global best practices, fostering regional cooperation, and supporting professional capacity building.
Through coordinated border management, data standardization, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, Eswatini's "Non-Stop Borders" vision is transforming the nation into a model of efficient, competitive trade facilitation in southern Africa.