The World Customs Organization East & Southern Africa, Regional Office for Capacity Building (WCO ESA ROCB) joined the World Customs Organization (WCO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the KRA(KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY) at the opening ceremony of the first working group (WG1) of the new cycle of the Master Trainer Programme (MTP) on Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) for Africa taking place from 2nd to 6th February 2026 in Nairobi Kenya.
The MTP on GEOINT aims to develop sustainable training capacity in Africa by developing a pool of highly experienced Master Trainers in Geospatial Intelligence. The programme brings together delegates from 14 African WCO Members. The workshop was officially inaugurated by the representative of the Commissioner General, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Mr. Chege Macharia, Deputy Commissioner – Border Control and Enforcement. In his opening remarks Mr. Macharia highlighted that the GEOINT MTP is timely and critical to achieving Customs mandate, particularly in trade facilitation, risk management and the deterrence of illicit trade. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to supporting Regional and Continental initiatives noting that GEOINT aligns strongly with Kenya’s strategic direction and Africa’s broader development agenda. He further emphasized that the knowledge gained through the MTP will be cascaded to other officers, thus strengthening institutional capacity and concluded by expressing appreciation to JICA, the WCO and participating Customs administrations for their collaboration.
JICA’s Chief Representative, Mr. Makoto Shinkawa recognized the WCO’s capacity building initiatives within Customs administrations and acknowledged JICA’s support and Kenya’s role as host. He underscored the importance of GEOINT in facilitating trade across Africa, ensuring safe borders and supporting a strong and resilient economy. He noted that the objective of the programme goes beyond knowledge acquisition, with a focus on ensuring that participants continue serving as trainers within their respective administrations.
In his remarks, Mr. Motohiro Fujimitsu, WCO/JICA Joint Project Manager, cited the January 2023 Abuja meeting that resulted in the adoption of the WCO Action Plan on Geospatial Intelligence capacity building. He also noted that the MTP aligns with the WCO Customs theme for 2026 “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment” and further highlighted the successful completion of the MTP involving 5 West African countries which concluded on 30th January 2026.
The Director, WCO ESA Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) Ms. Josephine Manyasi ‘ndc’(K) congratulated the participants who had recently completed the MTP and emphasized the importance of GEOINT as a data driven approach to Customs enforcement. She encouraged delegates to apply and institutionalize the knowledge gained within their respective Customs administrations.
Head, Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO), Mr. Sitheni Ncube underscored the role of GEOINT in protecting society, including safeguarding legitimate trade, supporting efforts to counter terrorism, protecting wildlife and strengthening public health safeguards.
