Customs officials from across Africa recently gathered for a unique professional development opportunity, receiving systematic training at the Belgian Customs Academy while gaining firsthand exposure to international standards through visits to the World Customs Organization (WCO) headquarters. This initiative exemplifies the longstanding collaboration between WCO and the Belgian Customs Academy, demonstrating tangible progress in Africa's customs capacity building.
Strategic Partnership for Customs Development
The WCO and Belgian Customs Academy maintain a productive, years-long partnership focused on supporting African customs administrations through high-quality training programs. Their collaboration extends beyond classroom instruction to include field visits, expert exchanges, and customized course development—all tailored to address the specific needs of African customs operations.
WCO Headquarters Visit: A Transformative Learning Experience
On May 6, 2024, customs officials from nine East, Southern, West, and Central African countries participating in Belgian Customs Academy training visited WCO headquarters. This exclusive opportunity enabled French-speaking officials to:
- Engage directly with WCO leadership, including the Deputy Director of Capacity Building, to learn about strategic priorities
- Gain in-depth knowledge of core WCO programs covering intellectual property rights, health, and safety initiatives
- Exchange best practices with international counterparts to broaden professional perspectives
Tailored Training for African Customs Priorities
Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, participating African customs officials attended over ten specialized WCO training sessions beyond their core curriculum at the Belgian Customs Academy. These focused on critical topics including:
- Rules of origin determination to combat fraud and implement trade policies
- Intellectual property protection techniques to identify counterfeit goods
- Health and safety protocols for customs personnel
A specialized rules-of-origin course was co-developed by WCO, the Belgian Customs Academy, and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) to enhance African officials' trade management capabilities.
Long-Term Impact and Future Directions
The WCO-Belgian Customs Academy partnership has significantly advanced African customs capacity through:
- Resource consolidation combining WCO expertise, academic instruction, and EU funding
- Customized programming addressing regional needs
- Sustainable professional development for African customs administrations
Future initiatives may include expanded digital training platforms, expert deployments to Africa, and increased participation in international knowledge-sharing forums. These efforts aim to further strengthen customs operations as a foundation for economic growth across the continent.