West and Central Africa Boost Customs Cooperation

West and Central Africa Boost Customs Cooperation

The 2015 Liaison Office Meeting on Customs Capacity Building in West and Central Africa was held in Senegal, focusing on regional customs reform and capacity enhancement. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the strategic plan, initiated the identification of assistance needs, promoted a regional capacity-building market, and discussed key projects. Through mutual cooperation and field visits, the aim was to improve regional customs efficiency, facilitate trade, and safeguard the economic development of West and Central Africa. The meeting emphasized collaboration to strengthen customs operations and regional integration.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Revenue Training

West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Revenue Training

The West African Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), aims to enhance customs management in West Africa through regional workshops and national support. A recent resource mobilization workshop received positive feedback, and future efforts will focus on stakeholder relations. This initiative contributes to improving customs efficiency and promoting regional economic development in West Africa.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Efficiency Training

West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Efficiency Training

The WACAM project, funded by SIDA, aims to promote regional trade development by enhancing the capacity of West African Customs in human resources, stakeholder relations, and resource mobilization through workshops. The project focuses on Customs Modernization and Capacity Building, specifically targeting improvements in skills and knowledge. By facilitating better collaboration and resource management, WACAM contributes to a more efficient and effective customs environment, ultimately fostering economic growth within the region. The project's emphasis on Resource Mobilization ensures sustainable operations and long-term impact.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Eastsouthern Africa Customs Officials Tackle Transfer Pricing

Eastsouthern Africa Customs Officials Tackle Transfer Pricing

A joint workshop by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the OECD aimed to enhance the expertise of customs officials in East and Southern Africa on transfer pricing and customs valuation. The initiative promotes regional customs cooperation, maintains fair trade practices, and combats tax evasion. By strengthening the capacity of customs administrations in these areas, the workshop supports efforts to ensure accurate valuation of goods and prevent illicit financial flows, ultimately contributing to a more transparent and equitable global trading system.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint project, 'Train-the-Trainers Programme', has made significant progress in East Africa, enhancing customs capacity by developing a pool of post-clearance audit experts and creating training materials. The project innovatively adopted a 'virtual working group' model during the pandemic to ensure its smooth continuation. Moving forward, the project will further improve training skills and build a sustainable mechanism for customs capacity enhancement in the region.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Certification Boosts Trade in Francophone Africa

WCO Certification Boosts Trade in Francophone Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Technical and Operational Advisors (TOA) accreditation program, aims to cultivate customs experts proficient in commodity classification, rules of origin, and valuation. This initiative enhances customs capacity in French-speaking African countries, reduces trade costs and friction, and creates more market opportunities for businesses. By fostering expertise and efficiency, the program contributes to a future where trade facilitation is embraced, benefiting both governments and the private sector. The ultimate goal is to streamline processes and promote economic growth.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Enhances Customs Training in Francophone Africa

WCO Enhances Customs Training in Francophone Africa

With EU funding, the WCO held a workshop in Burkina Faso to enhance the expertise of Customs administrations in French-speaking African countries, specifically in areas like commodity classification. The training aimed to improve customs efficiency and contribute to trade facilitation within the region. The workshop focused on practical skills and knowledge transfer to strengthen customs operations and promote smoother trade flows. This initiative underscores the WCO's commitment to supporting its members in Africa and fostering economic development through improved customs practices.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Belgium Trains Francophone Africa in Trade Facilitation

Belgium Trains Francophone Africa in Trade Facilitation

In 2016, the Belgian Customs Academy provided training to 20 customs officers from French-speaking Africa and organized a visit to the WCO headquarters. Through lectures and field visits, participants gained a deeper understanding of the WCO's operations and strategic directions. They learned about trade facilitation, capacity building, and other relevant topics. This training aimed to improve customs management in Africa and contribute to trade facilitation efforts in the region, ultimately fostering economic development.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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High-speed Rail Express: A New Mode of Cost-effective Logistics Innovation

High-speed Rail Express: A New Mode of Cost-effective Logistics Innovation

High-speed railway express has emerged as a new logistics method since the route from Shenzhen North to Changsha South commenced, transporting 15 tons of goods daily and reducing costs by over 25% compared to air transport. Despite challenges such as limited loading capacity and heavy transportation demands, the potential and prospects for high-speed railway express remain promising, potentially offering new growth opportunities for the express industry in the future.

07/21/2025 Logistics
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International Freight Train from Lanzhou: A New Channel for Trade and Economic Cooperation with South Asia

International Freight Train from Lanzhou: A New Channel for Trade and Economic Cooperation with South Asia

On May 11, 2023, the ‘Lanzhou’ international freight train for South Asia successfully launched, marking a significant achievement in regional economic development and the Belt and Road Initiative. The train travels through Lhasa and Shigatse to reach Nepal, showcasing Lanzhou's advantage as a key logistics hub and enhancing its international trade capabilities. Surrounding cities are optimistic about this new route, hoping it will foster bilateral economic cooperation and development.

05/11/2023 Logistics
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