In the framework of the WCO-WACAM Project, funded by Sweden, the WCO conducted a mission in Morocco, aimed at supporting the ECOWAS Commission with the development of its Regional Customs Training Strategy.

The mission took place in Casablanca from 30 to 31 October and was hosted by Morocco Customs, who took the opportunity to share their expertise and experience in the areas of Induction and Continuous Training. They also presented updates on the establishment of a new state-of-the-art Customs training center, which will be used for training sessions directed also at Customs officers from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The ECOWAS Regional Customs Training Strategy, which embeds the competency-based approach, aims to build capacity in all ECOWAS Members’ Customs Administrations to apply the regional Customs tools such as the Community Customs Code and the Common External Tariff. The operationalization of the strategy will also address competency gaps in the areas of leadership and management.

Further to the WCO and Morocco’s support, the Training Strategy has also benefitted from review and inputs by the WCO West and Central Africa region through its regional working group of HR and Training Managers, its regional training centers and its Regional Office for Capacity Building.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Mr. Chaibou, thanked the WCO-WACAM Project for the support provided to the region so far. He indicated that he is hopeful that the implementation of this regional Customs Training Strategy will contribute to regional trade facilitation as well as improve the business environment in the region.

The ECOWAS Commission committed to bring the proposed strategy to the attention of the Director-Generals of Customs Administrations of ECOWAS at the ECOWAS Commission meeting planned for 23 November in Abuja, Nigeria. Should the strategy be approved by the meeting, implementation will start as of 1 January 2018.

For further information about this activity in particular or the WCO-WACAM Project in general, please contact the WCO-Sweden Programme Director, Mr. Richard Chopra (Richard.chopra@wcoomd.org).