24ᵗʰ & 25ᵗʰ February 2025.
During the ongoing GMRE, the WCO ESA ROCB made a joint presentation with the EU WCO program highlighting our ongoing partnership and specifically with regard to the provision of the access to the WCO Trade Tools to Members and Regional Training Centres (RTCs).
The WCO ESA ROCB Director, Mr. Larry Liza spoke on the ongoing capacity buiding initiatives in the region, informing the meeting that the region is currently in the process of drafting our new regional strategy 2025-28. He highlighted the four objectives of the strategy including: Efficient Trade Facilitation & Integration; Sustainable Revenue Mobilization & Digitalization; Effective Protection of the Society & Environment; and fostering Professionalism & Partnerships. He further highlighted the status of the implementation of WCO Tools, Instruments & Good Practices related to revenue collection and digitalization in the ESA Region, measures requiring medium to high need for Technical assistance & Capacity Building, and donor mapping in ESA.
Ms. Faith Mathenge, the representative of the EU WCO Africa Program informed the meeting that a survey was conducted by the ROCB on capacity builiding needs and challenges for ESA region. One of the needs identified was limited access to HS publications and WCO trade tools. The WCO ESA ROCB and EU-WCO HS Programme worked together to provide paid up licenses for Members (24) and RTCs (4) to access WCO trade tools and HS publications. Currently 22 Members and 4 RTCs are utilizing the tools. The Customs administrations are utilizing the WCO trade tools to enhance their decision-making process- decision making based on updated and accurate information; fast decision making. This complements the efficiency of operational work. The RTCs are utilizing the WCO trade tools to complement their capacity building programs, and this results in increased efficiency and effectiveness in training preparation, design and delivery.
Regarding training on Rules of Origin, EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme experts partnered with RTC Kenya, and by extension ESA ROCB, to conduct physical trainings for Mozambique, South Sudan, Seychelles and Angola. The approach took a comprehensive and sustainable 3-phased cycle which covers basic level training, advanced level and training of trainers (ToT).
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