The World Customs Organization (WCO) and UNCTAD embarked on a joint mission to Kigali, Rwanda, on 9 - 13 October 2017, in order to assist the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) as it commences work to establish a performance management and monitoring system. The mission, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) Customs Capacity Building Project, aimed to lay foundations for implementation of the ASYCUDA Performance Measurement Module (ASYPM).

Performance measurement in this context means using data contained in an automated Customs clearance system to produce information on specific Customs procedures, including the actions of Customs officers and traders. Several Customs administrations have demonstrated interest in this approach. The use of system data in this way makes it possible for Customs managers to have an overall and objective understanding of their administration in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Properly used and understood, these data can also enable Customs to detect and address practices that could be linked to corruption.

Experiences during this mission were shared by experts from Liberia, who are implementing the first ASYPM pilot also with the support of the WCO-Norad Project, and by experts from Cameroon, who have undertaken a lot of work on performance measurement systems.

The WCO-Norad Customs Capacity Building Project 2012-17 aims at delivering technical assistance to seven countries: Timor-Leste, Liberia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Tanzania and Vietnam. For more information, please contact the Project Manager, Ms. Andrea Hampton (Andrea.Hampton@wcoomd.org)