Imagine customs officials from Francophone African nations gathering to discuss how international standards can enhance trade facilitation and improve revenue collection. This isn't a hypothetical scenario but an active initiative by the World Customs Organization (WCO). A recent Technical and Operational Advisor (TOA) certification workshop in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, represents a strategic effort to boost trade development through capacity building in the region.
EU-Funded Initiative for African Trade Facilitation
The WCO organized the TOA certification workshop from March 4-8, 2019 at its Regional Training Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, under the EU-funded project "Harmonized WCO Standards for African Trade Facilitation." The program aimed to enhance customs expertise in critical areas including commodity classification, rules of origin, and valuation to optimize tariff revenue tools.
Workshop Focus: Building Expertise Through Certification
The intensive workshop sought to certify professionals capable of delivering WCO technical assistance missions. Twelve customs officials from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, and Togo participated in rigorous assessments of their technical knowledge and communication skills by WCO experts from the Capacity Building and Tariff and Trade Affairs directorates.
The comprehensive program included:
- Theoretical training and case studies: Experts systematically presented WCO revenue tools with practical applications
- Practical simulations: Participants demonstrated skills through realistic operational scenarios
- Performance evaluations: WCO assessors provided individualized feedback for professional development
Multi-Stage Certification Process
Successful candidates received pre-certification status, qualifying them for preliminary WCO technical assistance projects. This initial recognition represents just the first phase, as pre-certified TOAs must subsequently complete field assessment missions to earn full certification.
The final certification process involves:
- Participation in diagnostic field missions across Francophone Africa
- On-site evaluation of technical competencies and teamwork abilities
- Comprehensive performance review combining workshop and field assessments
Strategic Impact: Strengthening Regional Trade Capacity
This initiative forms a crucial component of WCO's capacity building strategy, particularly for the EU-WCO joint assistance program targeting Francophone African administrations. By developing localized expertise, the WCO can more effectively deliver technical support to enhance customs administration and trade facilitation.
The workshop's strategic value manifests in three key areas:
- Elevating customs administration standards through professional training
- Advancing trade facilitation via standardized classification and transparent valuation
- Increasing fiscal revenue through improved tariff collection mechanisms
Participant Perspectives: Collaborative Learning Environment
Attendees praised the workshop as an exceptional platform for exchanging perspectives on Harmonized System implementation, origin protocols, and valuation practices. The WCO acknowledged participants' commitment and recognized the contributions of national customs directors toward regional capacity development.
Acknowledgements and Future Directions
The WCO expressed gratitude for financial support from the "Harmonized WCO Standards for African Trade Facilitation" project and commended the Burkina Faso government for its organizational support. Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand training programs, deepen technical content, strengthen field implementation support, and foster regional cooperation among Francophone African customs administrations.
This capacity building initiative represents a sustainable approach to enhancing customs operations, facilitating cross-border commerce, and supporting economic development across Francophone Africa through standardized international practices and localized expertise.