West Africa Launches Etransit System to Enhance Trade

West Africa Launches Etransit System to Enhance Trade

With the support of the World Customs Organization, Customs administrations of five West African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, and Togo) have launched the development of an electronic transit messaging system. This initiative aims to simplify cross-border transit procedures by standardizing data and sharing information, thereby improving regional trade efficiency and promoting the effective implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. The system is expected to inject new impetus into the economic development of the West African region.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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West Africa Launches Etransit System to Enhance Trade

West Africa Launches Etransit System to Enhance Trade

With the support of the World Customs Organization, five West African countries have launched an electronic transit information project. This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of regional trade and facilitate economic integration within the region. By streamlining customs procedures and enhancing data exchange, the project seeks to reduce transit times and lower trade costs, ultimately boosting economic growth and strengthening regional partnerships. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of these nations to fostering a more integrated and prosperous West African trade environment.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Star Alliance Airlines in Africa Operational Rankings Compared

Star Alliance Airlines in Africa Operational Rankings Compared

This article presents a challenge-quiz format, deeply analyzing Star Alliance member airlines' operational data in the African market. It ranks alliance members based on three key indicators: frequency, capacity, and available seat kilometers (ASKs). Readers are invited to participate in the challenge, testing and enhancing their aviation knowledge. Links to challenges for other alliances and a blog subscription option are also provided. The analysis offers insights into the competitive landscape of Star Alliance within the rapidly growing African aviation sector.

02/04/2026 Airlines
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WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation Training in Southern Africa

WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation Training in Southern Africa

The second phase of the WCO and JICA's Southern African Customs Valuation Training Program has concluded. The program aimed to develop trainers and enhance regional customs valuation capabilities. Recommendations include strengthening follow-up support and fostering regional cooperation to sustain the program's impact and build upon the progress achieved in improving customs valuation practices within the region.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO JICA Boost Customs Valuation in Southern Africa

WCO JICA Boost Customs Valuation in Southern Africa

The WCO and JICA collaborated on an MTP project to train customs valuation officers from five Southern African countries. This initiative aimed to enhance regional customs capacity and facilitate trade development in the region. The project focused on building expertise in customs valuation techniques and promoting international cooperation among customs administrations. Ultimately, the goal was to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of customs operations, contributing to economic growth and regional integration. The training program covered various aspects of customs valuation, ensuring participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Southern Africa Enhances Customs Valuation Via WCOJICA Initiative

Southern Africa Enhances Customs Valuation Via WCOJICA Initiative

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are jointly implementing the Customs Valuation (CV) Master Trainer Program (MTP) to create a professional and sustainable pool of CV trainers in Southern Africa. The third working group activity focused on developing training materials and enhancing practical skills. The WCO and JICA are committed to continuously supporting customs capacity building in the region, building an efficient and transparent customs valuation system, and promoting trade development.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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East Africa Trade Project Ends Strengthens Regional Ties

East Africa Trade Project Ends Strengthens Regional Ties

With the support of WCO and JICA, five East African countries successfully completed a trade facilitation and border control capacity development project. Focusing on One-Stop Border Post operations and customs capacity building, the project significantly improved trade efficiency and border control levels in the East African region. The WCO Secretary General praised East Africa's experience, encouraging its sharing with other African regions. He also emphasized the continued support for customs capacity building in Africa and Pacific Island countries.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCOJICA Project Improves Customs Skills in East Africa

WCOJICA Project Improves Customs Skills in East Africa

The WCO/JICA Joint Project aims to enhance commodity classification capabilities of East African Customs and promote regional trade facilitation. Through Master Trainer training, case studies, and experience sharing, the project addresses commodity classification challenges, improves customs enforcement efficiency, and increases revenue collection, contributing to regional economic integration. The project commits to continuous support for capacity building in East African Customs, ensuring sustainable development. This initiative is crucial for streamlining trade processes and fostering economic growth in the region by standardizing commodity identification and promoting compliance with international trade regulations.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Southern Africa Boosts Customs Skills Via WCOJICA Partnership

Southern Africa Boosts Customs Skills Via WCOJICA Partnership

A WCO/JICA-supported customs valuation training program for Southern Africa took place in Botswana. The initiative aimed to enhance the customs valuation capabilities of five countries in the region. By improving valuation practices, the project contributes to regional economic development and facilitates smoother trade flows within Southern Africa. The training program focused on equipping customs officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to accurately assess the value of imported goods, ensuring fair and efficient revenue collection and promoting a level playing field for businesses.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Africa Customs Modernization Advances with Sidawco Trade Project

Africa Customs Modernization Advances with Sidawco Trade Project

A Sida-WCO Trade Facilitation and Customs Modernization Project Coordinators' Workshop was held in Malawi to enhance the capabilities of project coordinators and promote customs modernization reforms. The meeting emphasized the importance of experience sharing, performance evaluation, and collaboration. Expert recommendations were made, including building a comprehensive performance management system, to improve customs modernization levels and promote trade development. The workshop aimed to strengthen project implementation and contribute to more efficient and effective customs procedures, ultimately facilitating trade and economic growth.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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