A small archipelago nation off West Africa's coast is making waves in global trade efficiency. Cabo Verde has emerged as an unexpected leader in trade facilitation, demonstrating how strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement can transform economic potential.
A Historic Milestone
On September 28, 2017, the Port of Praia witnessed a landmark event—the release of the Goods Release Time Study report. This comprehensive analysis marked Cabo Verde's decisive step toward modernizing its trade infrastructure. The ceremony brought together government officials, business leaders, and experts from the World Customs Organization (WCO), symbolizing a unified commitment to progress.
The WCO-WACAM Catalyst
The transformation was ignited by the WCO-WACAM project, funded by Sweden. This initiative empowered Cabo Verde to implement key measures from the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The project established a National Trade Facilitation Committee, created dialogue platforms, and conducted in-depth analysis of goods clearance processes—demonstrating Cabo Verde's commitment to transparency and efficiency.
Capacity Building Success
The WCO-WACAM project significantly enhanced the capabilities of Cabo Verde's customs administration. Officials developed innovative stakeholder engagement strategies and modern communication plans, transitioning from traditional enforcement roles to collaborative partnerships. External evaluators praised the initiative as "a partnership-based capacity building model ensuring beneficiary ownership of modernization processes."
The Power of Collaboration
Under WCO guidance, Cabo Verde successfully completed its goods release time study at Praia Port. This achievement showcased the customs administration's enhanced ability to engage stakeholders—from defining study parameters to implementing recommendations. The inclusive approach ensured accurate, actionable results while building consensus for future improvements.
Multilingual Commitment to Transparency
The published report appeared in Portuguese, French, and English—fulfilling WTO TFA Article 7.6 requirements. This multilingual approach reflects Cabo Verde's global perspective while providing practical tools to measure and enhance customs efficiency.
International Recognition
WCO Capacity Building Director Ernani Checcucci commended Cabo Verde's dedication: "The goods release time study provides vital metrics for evaluating trade facilitation performance. We honor Cabo Verde Customs' commitment throughout our partnership and stand ready to continue this successful collaboration."
Expanding the Vision
Finance Minister Oliveira announced plans to extend the study's methodology to all national ports, citing its proven effectiveness. The government acknowledged WCO's technical support and Sweden's financial contribution to the WCO-WACAM project.
A Model for Development
Cabo Verde's experience demonstrates how stakeholder engagement drives successful trade facilitation. By collaborating across sectors, the nation improved port efficiency while strengthening overall competitiveness—offering valuable lessons for developing economies worldwide.
The Value of Inclusive Policy
Stakeholder participation represents more than strategy—it embodies principles of openness and cooperation that create equitable trade environments. Cabo Verde's approach highlights four key benefits:
Policy Effectiveness: Incorporating diverse perspectives yields more practical regulations.
Policy Legitimacy: Transparent processes gain broader acceptance.
Innovation: Cross-sector collaboration sparks creative solutions.
Cost Efficiency: Early stakeholder input prevents implementation challenges.
Looking Ahead
Cabo Verde's National Tax Administration has expressed interest in continued WCO support as it implements newly developed strategic plans. The nation's progress illustrates how small economies can achieve disproportionate impact through vision, determination, and partnership.