Tangier Port in the Mediterranean is a crucial shipping hub in northwestern Morocco, connecting Europe and Africa. With modern facilities and well-maintained channels, the port offers diverse berth services and boasts efficient transport capacity and security measures, making it a key player in global trade.
Warri Port, a key urban port in Nigeria's delta region, serves as an important shipping hub in West Africa due to its water depth and extensive service facilities. It supports efficient cargo transit and trade, contributing to the enhancement of the local economy and international connectivity.
Buchanan Port is a vital maritime hub in Grand Bassa County, Liberia, equipped with comprehensive facilities and services to efficiently support vessels. The port has a maximum draft of 12.59 meters and features mineral, general cargo, and commercial berths, aiming to promote trade and economic development with North Africa.
The Port of Cotonou is the main commercial port in Benin, located at the outlet of Lake Nokoué. It features deep-water berths and multiple service facilities, facilitating trade in West Africa. Its geographic advantages and international connections support Benin's economic growth, making it a key maritime hub.
Kilwa Kisiwani Port is a major maritime hub in southern Tanzania, holding significant historical and commercial value. Its strategic location facilitates connections between East Africa and global markets. Future infrastructure investments and digital management improvements aim to enhance transport efficiency, presenting both new opportunities and challenges for international trade.
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with Saudi ZATCA, organized a Harmonized System (HS) expert pre-certification workshop for the Middle East and North Africa region. This initiative aims to cultivate local experts, enhance regional customs capacity, and facilitate trade. Through a rigorous assessment and certification process, the WCO will expand its pool of experts, support regional capacity building efforts, and promote the standardization of global trade practices. The workshop is a key step in strengthening regional customs expertise and streamlining trade processes.
Eswatini has launched an electronic tariff platform to enhance trade facilitation. A national workshop equipped tax officials with in-depth knowledge of the platform's functionalities, boosting their management capabilities. The platform boasts advantages such as information transparency, operational convenience, and data integration. It is projected to stimulate trade growth, attract foreign investment, and improve competitiveness. With its official launch imminent, Eswatini is poised to become a leader in trade facilitation within Africa. The platform is expected to streamline customs processes and reduce administrative burdens for businesses.
As the largest third-party quality control organization globally, SGS plays a crucial role in export regulation in developing countries across Africa and Asia through its Comprehensive Inspection Before Shipment (CISS) program. By implementing thorough inspections, SGS aids companies in streamlining customs processes and promotes compliance with international trade standards.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are jointly supporting the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to enhance its risk assessment and selectivity capabilities, addressing new trade challenges in East Africa. Using a two-pronged approach combining expert discussions and practical exercises, Kenyan Customs actively participates in building a smart customs administration. This initiative aims to improve clearance efficiency, promote trade facilitation, and ultimately contribute to Kenya's economic growth.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) continues to expand its pool of Customs Modernization Advisors (CMAs) and Mercator Programme Advisors (MPAs) by holding certification workshops, such as the one in Pretoria, South Africa. This initiative aims to assist members in implementing the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The workshop assessed participants, with 15 officials successfully completing the first step of certification. This effort will accelerate TFA implementation, improve customs efficiency, and promote global trade growth.
