South Africa Boosts Border Tech Leadership with WCO Backing

South Africa Boosts Border Tech Leadership with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a leadership and management development workshop for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) executive team. The workshop aimed to enhance teamwork and individual leadership skills, enabling them to address key challenges and effectively implement trade facilitation reforms. Focusing on personal communication, team trust, and organizational strategic management, the workshop facilitated the development of tailored action plans. These plans support the SARS leadership model and the construction of 'Smart Borders,' ultimately striving for a more efficient and secure trading environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
East Africa Boosts Antismuggling Efforts with WCO JICA Support

East Africa Boosts Antismuggling Efforts with WCO JICA Support

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly held a workshop in Uganda to enhance customs intelligence analysis capabilities and strengthen anti-smuggling efforts in East Africa. Customs officials from various East African countries collaborated to develop post-seizure analysis training materials. Experts from the WCO and Japan Customs provided guidance to help East African customs improve their intelligence-driven risk management and combat smuggling crimes. The workshop aimed to build capacity and foster regional cooperation in tackling cross-border illicit trade.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO JICA Boost Customs Valuation Training in Southern Africa

WCO JICA Boost Customs Valuation Training in Southern Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint project is progressing in Southern Africa. The 3rd Working Group activity of the Customs Valuation (CV) Master Trainer Programme (MTP) aimed to enhance the customs valuation capabilities of Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The project focuses on developing a regional pool of trainers and creating training materials. This initiative seeks to promote fairness and efficiency in international trade by strengthening customs valuation expertise within the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Aviation Industry Strengthens Ties in Africa and Middle East

Aviation Industry Strengthens Ties in Africa and Middle East

The IATA Africa and Middle East Regional Office (AME) serves as the central hub for the International Air Transport Association in the region, dedicated to representing, leading, and serving airlines in Africa and the Middle East. It provides regional representation, membership services, industry leadership, and expert consulting. AME aims to empower businesses to thrive within the African and Middle Eastern aviation markets, supporting their growth and ensuring sustainable development of the air transport industry in the region.

01/05/2026 Airlines
Read More
West and Central Africa Boost Security with Customs Network

West and Central Africa Boost Security with Customs Network

The West and Central Africa Customs Organization (WCO) enhanced the intelligence capabilities and Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) application skills of customs officers in the region through a webinar. This initiative aims to strengthen intelligence sharing and jointly combat fraud and transnational organized crime, thereby maintaining regional security and stability. The webinar focused on improving the officers' abilities to collect, analyze, and disseminate customs intelligence, ultimately contributing to a more effective and coordinated approach to law enforcement within the region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Finland Funds Customs Modernization in East and Southern Africa

Finland Funds Customs Modernization in East and Southern Africa

Finland is funding a WCO project to support customs modernization and enhance trade capacity in East and Southern Africa. The project is progressing well, focusing on five key areas including leadership and enforcement. The initiative aims to improve customs efficiency, security, and compliance with international standards, ultimately fostering regional economic growth and integration by strengthening customs administrations in the region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Africa Adopts New Strategies to Boost Aviation Fuel Efficiency

Africa Adopts New Strategies to Boost Aviation Fuel Efficiency

Improving fuel efficiency is crucial for African airlines. IATA offers data tools, best practices, and consulting services to support this goal. New technologies and flight optimization software play a significant role in energy conservation. Taking action is essential to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs. By implementing these strategies, African airlines can enhance their sustainability and competitiveness in the global market.

12/30/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Temu Expands Discount Strategy to North America and Africa

Temu Expands Discount Strategy to North America and Africa

After rapidly capturing the North American market with its low-price strategy, Pinduoduo's cross-border platform Temu is now targeting the African e-commerce market. Compared to Europe and North America, the African market offers immense potential but also presents significant challenges. It remains to be seen whether Temu can replicate its success in Africa and compete with rivals like SHEIN. This expansion and potential competition warrant close attention.

01/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
West Africa Customs Adopts Gender Equality to Boost Trade

West Africa Customs Adopts Gender Equality to Boost Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is implementing a Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) capacity-building project in West Africa. Through workshops, assessments, and action plans, the project aims to enhance the GED awareness and practical capabilities of customs administrations in countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. This initiative seeks to promote a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient customs system, ultimately facilitating trade and fostering economic development in the region. The project focuses on improving internal policies and practices within the customs administrations.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Amazon Relaxes Japan Toy Rules Plans South Africa Growth

Amazon Relaxes Japan Toy Rules Plans South Africa Growth

Amazon Japan has adjusted its compliance policy for the children's toy category, lowering the target age threshold, which benefits toy sellers by reducing costs. Simultaneously, Amazon South Africa is about to launch, providing cross-border e-commerce sellers with an opportunity to seize the African market. Sellers should seize this opportunity, adjust their strategies, and embrace new growth points. This expansion presents a significant advantage for businesses looking to tap into a new and emerging market with potentially high growth potential.

12/30/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More