Imagine cross-border trade as a highway where goods flow freely and efficiently. But what if this highway were dotted with multiple "toll booths," each representing different regulatory agencies with their own rules? Zimbabwe is working to dismantle these barriers and create smoother trade pathways.
With support from the UK government (through Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, HMRC), the World Customs Organization (WCO) has implemented a significant assistance program at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). This initiative supports Zimbabwe's implementation of the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA), focusing on enhancing risk management capabilities and fostering collaboration among border regulatory agencies.
WCO Empowers ZIMRA With New Cross-Border Collaboration Model
From August 29 to September 7, WCO experts conducted intensive training at ZIMRA's headquarters in Harare. This two-week program formed part of the HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD project, demonstrating the UK government's commitment to Zimbabwe's trade facilitation reforms.
The mission comprised two phases. The first week focused on risk management and coordinated border management training, while WCO helped ZIMRA design a specialized two-day workshop for other Cross-Border Regulatory Agencies (CBRAs). The workshop included ZIMRA presentations on risk management, group discussions, and practical exercises.
During the second week, ZIMRA successfully hosted the workshop, receiving positive feedback from participants. Ms. Angeline Mashiri, Acting Compliance, Risk and ASYCUDA Functional Head (representing Acting Customs and Excise Commissioner Mr. George Chiradza), delivered opening remarks for both events. She emphasized that improved inter-agency coordination is essential for facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring Zimbabwe's social security.
Risk Management: The Cornerstone of Trade Facilitation
Risk management forms the core of modern customs administration—not merely as a technical tool but as a strategic approach. By identifying, assessing, and controlling risks, customs authorities can concentrate limited resources on high-risk areas, thereby improving inspection efficiency and minimizing disruptions to legitimate trade.
For Zimbabwe, establishing an effective risk management system will not only enhance ZIMRA's operational efficiency but also serve as a model for other border agencies, optimizing the entire border management framework.
Collaboration: Breaking Down Silos for Greater Efficiency
Cross-border trade involves multiple government agencies—customs, quarantine, border security, taxation, and others. Without proper coordination, these agencies may conduct redundant inspections, face information gaps, and cause clearance delays. Strengthening collaboration among border regulators, breaking down institutional barriers, establishing information-sharing mechanisms, and streamlining clearance processes are therefore crucial for trade facilitation.
ZIMRA's workshop aimed to foster communication and mutual understanding among border agencies. Through joint discussions on risk management and coordinated border management, participants identified collaboration opportunities to address shared challenges and improve overall clearance efficiency.
Building a Risk Management Expert Team for Zimbabwe's Trade Future
Another key objective was selecting a core team of up to three ZIMRA officials to disseminate risk management knowledge to other CBRAs and within ZIMRA. After rigorous evaluation, WCO experts identified three potential trainers, whose names were submitted to the Customs and Excise Commissioner. ZIMRA's Human Resources and Training department awarded them professional competency certificates in recognition of their outstanding performance.
These experts will serve as Zimbabwe's risk management pioneers, spreading advanced concepts and techniques nationwide to invigorate the country's trade facilitation efforts. Their work will help build a high-caliber risk management team to support future development.
Future Prospects for Zimbabwe's Trade Facilitation
With WCO and UK government support, ZIMRA has made significant progress in trade facilitation. By strengthening risk management and inter-agency collaboration, Zimbabwe is gradually building an efficient, convenient, and secure trade environment. Looking ahead, Zimbabwe's trade facilitation standards are poised to rise further, providing strong momentum for economic development.
This collaboration represents more than training—it's a conceptual transformation and model exploration. It offers a replicable example for Zimbabwe and other developing countries, demonstrating how international cooperation and domestic effort can achieve trade facilitation and economic prosperity. Zimbabwe's experience proves that through reform, openness, and international engagement, countries can overcome challenges and achieve economic growth.
Key Measures and Achievements
ZIMRA's specific actions and outcomes from this collaboration include:
- Risk management training: ZIMRA staff received systematic training from WCO experts covering risk identification, assessment, and control, equipping them with core risk management skills.
- Workshop organization: ZIMRA successfully planned and hosted a workshop for other border agencies, facilitating effective communication through diverse content and formats.
- Expert team selection: ZIMRA established a skilled risk management team to share knowledge with other agencies, creating a backbone for Zimbabwe's risk management sector.
- Competency certification: ZIMRA awarded professional certificates to expert team members, validating their expertise and enhancing their credibility.
Broader Implications
This collaboration holds significance beyond trade facilitation, highlighting:
- The importance of international cooperation: Global challenges require international solutions. Through partnerships with WCO and the UK government, ZIMRA gained valuable technical support and experience.
- The value of capacity building: Sustainable development depends on strong institutional capacity. Through training and expert development, ZIMRA strengthened its capabilities for future growth.
- The power of knowledge sharing: Collective progress requires knowledge exchange. Through workshops and expert teams, ZIMRA shared its experience with other agencies, advancing the entire sector.
While Zimbabwe's trade facilitation journey continues to face challenges, the future appears promising. With international support, ZIMRA will keep improving its management and services to contribute to Zimbabwe's economic development. The country's achievements in trade facilitation deserve recognition and anticipation for further progress.