Imagine a national customs administration tasked not only with routine regulatory duties but also with gradually reclaiming critical functions previously outsourced to private entities. What level of leadership and managerial competence would this require? In July 2015, with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO), Cameroon's General Directorate of Customs hosted a landmark Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop to cultivate a cadre of executives capable of driving this transformative agenda.
Strategic Foundations: Cameroon Customs' Reform Roadmap
Recognizing that adapting to increasingly complex global trade dynamics demanded elevated operational efficiency, Cameroon Customs elevated management development to a strategic priority. This initiative became central to its modernization efforts, particularly as the government prepared to reintegrate key functions—such as pre-shipment inspections and border security—from third-party contractors. The urgency to develop leaders equipped to navigate this transition was paramount.
WCO Partnership: The Leadership Workshop Initiative
Supported by the WCO through funding from the Customs Cooperation Fund (Korea), the intensive two-week LMD workshop convened 20 senior Cameroon Customs officials at the CAF Center of Excellence in Mbankomo, Yaoundé, from July 20-31, 2015. The program aimed to forge a cohort of committed leaders who could collaboratively implement ongoing reforms while strengthening institutional capacity.
Workshop Focus: Self-Reflection and Practical Skill Building
The curriculum blended theoretical frameworks with hands-on applications, including case studies, group exercises, and role-playing scenarios. Participants engaged in critical self-assessment of personal leadership values and behavioral patterns while exploring solutions to operational challenges. Key discussion themes included:
- Strategic management and vision planning
- Personnel management and workplace diversity
- Communication strategies and negotiation techniques
- Change management methodologies
Tangible Outcomes: The Mbankomo II Declaration
Participants concluded the workshop by presenting a strategic roadmap to the Director General of Customs, outlining phased approaches to reintegrate outsourced functions. This was accompanied by the "Mbankomo II Declaration"—a collective commitment to:
- Uphold institutional integrity and professional ethics
- Champion modernization initiatives through collaborative leadership
- Foster continuous learning and adaptive management practices
- Maintain operational transparency and accountability
Capacity Building Highlights
The workshop's competency-based approach yielded measurable improvements in:
Strategic Management
Officials gained tools for systemic analysis, policy formulation, and performance evaluation aligned with national trade priorities.
Transformational Leadership
Training emphasized situational leadership models to inspire teams during organizational change.
Stakeholder Engagement
Advanced negotiation modules prepared participants for complex interagency coordination and public-private sector dialogues.
Institutional Acknowledgments
Cameroon Customs expressed gratitude to the WCO Secretariat for sustained technical assistance, noting the workshop's role in strengthening governance frameworks. This initiative serves as a replicable model for customs administrations across developing economies seeking to balance trade facilitation with regulatory control.
As global supply chains evolve, such leadership investments position Cameroon to navigate emerging challenges while contributing to regional economic integration and security objectives.