Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a Refresher Course for Master Trainers on Customs Valuation in Southern Africa from 13 to 15 May 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
Thirteen (13) Master Trainers from five (5) Southern African Members—Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe—gathered in Brussels for this highly anticipated refresher workshop. They completed the Master Trainer Programme (MTP) and became Master Trainers on Custom Valuation in April 2021. Since then, they have conducted training sessions within their administrations and in other regions. Their expertise has significantly contributed to enhancing Customs practices in the area of Customs Valuation and supported the achievement of the WCO's Strategic Plan objectives. The refresher workshop aimed to further enhance their knowledge and skills, recognizing their invaluable contributions as Customs Valuation experts.
The opening session featured a motivating address from the WCO leadership. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the WCO, highlighted Master Trainers’ significant contribution to Customs practice. He acknowledged that with the support of the WCO and JICA, these Master Trainers on Customs Valuation have strengthened their administration’s capacities and shared their knowledge with colleagues from other countries, training more than 3,000 Customs officers in recent years. Emphasizing the crucial role of customs valuation in ensuring proper revenue collection, the Secretary General expressed his appreciation for their continued dedication, especially in light of developments such as the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He urged them to continue their valuable activities beyond the continent and worldwide.
Throughout the three-day workshop, the Master Trainers were updated on the latest developments in Customs Valuation, focusing on the latest tools and decisions of the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) and best practices. The refresher workshop provided a unique platform for Master Trainers to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and share success stories related to the implementation of Customs Valuation in their regions. The workshop was facilitated by WCO experts, alongside Member experts who provided invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of Customs Valuation.
Mr. Ricardo Treviño Chapa, Deputy Secretary General of the WCO, also addressed the participants during the closing ceremony, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Master Trainers to regional and global Customs initiatives. He encouraged them to make full use of and share the knowledge gained during the three-day refresher workshop and continue expanding their networks.
The success of the Refresher workshop for Master Trainers in Southern Africa is a testament to the WCO's ongoing commitment to its capacity-building strategy, leveraging its pool of experts from the beneficiary region.
For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.