The economic integration of the African continent is gaining momentum, but the realization of this ambitious vision requires an efficient and coordinated customs system as its backbone. Facing both opportunities and challenges, how should customs administrations in West and Central Africa respond? The recent meeting of customs directors from these regions provided a crucial platform for consensus-building and strategic planning.
WCO Secretary General Highlights Priorities at Regional Meeting
At the invitation of Guénolé Mbongo Koumou, Director General of Congo Customs and Vice-Chair of the World Customs Organization (WCO), WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya participated virtually in the West and Central Africa (AOC) Customs Directors Meeting from April 28-29, 2021. In his opening remarks, Secretary General Mikuriya emphasized the WCO's key priorities and innovative working methods. The meeting served as an important platform for customs directors to discuss progress and needs in critical areas including customs modernization, implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), combating smuggling and fraud, and capacity building.
WCO's Strong Support for AfCFTA Implementation
During the roundtable discussion on the launch of AfCFTA, Secretary General Mikuriya reaffirmed the WCO's steadfast support for this historic initiative to establish a unified market across Africa, working alongside the African Union, regional economic communities, and national customs administrations. He stressed the pioneering role of customs in this process and underscored the vital importance of robust infrastructure for regional integration.
The WCO's concrete support for AfCFTA implementation focuses on several key areas:
- Capacity Building: The WCO provides tailored technical assistance, training programs, and expert support to help African customs administrations enhance trade facilitation, border security, and revenue collection capabilities.
- Standardization: By promoting harmonized customs procedures, rules, and standards across Africa, the WCO helps reduce trade costs, improve efficiency, and foster regional trade integration.
- Information Sharing: The organization facilitates enhanced cooperation among African customs administrations to strengthen border security and combat cross-border crimes like smuggling and tax evasion.
- Policy Advocacy: The WCO actively participates in AfCFTA policy development through dialogue with governments, regional organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
Combating Counterfeits During the Pandemic
Addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19, customs directors emphasized the critical need for information exchange to combat counterfeit or substandard medicines and vaccines. The proliferation of fake medical products during the pandemic has posed serious threats to public health, requiring strengthened customs cooperation.
Key cooperation measures include:
- Establishing regular intelligence-sharing mechanisms for counterfeit medical products
- Conducting joint enforcement operations targeting production and distribution networks
- Enhancing risk management capabilities to identify high-risk shipments
- Strengthening interagency collaboration with health, pharmaceutical, and law enforcement authorities
Capacity Building and Regional Cooperation: A Path Forward
Participants also discussed WCO capacity-building programs and regional needs. Customs directors agreed that strengthening capabilities is essential for improving customs management and trade facilitation. They committed to enhancing regional administrative and financial arrangements to support regional initiatives.
Future priorities for West and Central African customs include:
- Developing a regional capacity-building strategy with clear objectives
- Establishing regional training centers to professionalize customs personnel
- Expanding experience-sharing among member administrations
- Strengthening cooperation with other regions to integrate into global trade systems
In closing remarks, Secretary General Mikuriya commended Vice-Chair Koumou's leadership and the active participation of all directors. Ludovic Ngatsé, Ministerial Representative for Budget at Congo's Ministry of Finance and Budget, praised customs administrations for their contributions to national development and public service. The successful meeting provided clear direction for customs cooperation in West and Central Africa while injecting new momentum into AfCFTA implementation.
Looking ahead, customs administrations in the region will continue strengthening collaboration to address challenges and contribute to regional economic development and Africa's prosperity.