The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) is aligning the county’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme to meet international standards. From 25-28 February 2025, the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the United Kingdom, provided a Workshop in Mbabane, aimed at enhancing trade security and efficiency to pave the way for greater compliance and trade facilitation in the region. The capacity-building activity builds on previous support by the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme for implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreements within the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Member States.

Leveraging WCO tools and guidelines as well as experiences from the region and from the United Kingdom, the support focused on validation techniques for assessing potential AEOs based on the criteria outlined in the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards. In addition to on-site validation at AEO candidates’ premises, the facilitators also explored effective monitoring mechanisms, highlighted the benefits of the AEO Programme and its envisioned impact in creating a conducive business environment and driving macro-economic growth.

The ERS Commissioner General, Mr. Brightwell S. Nkambule, emphasized the critical role of a collaborative government approach in the AEO Programme, stating that “by enhancing integrated risk management and trade facilitation, the AEO Programme can significantly boost Eswatini's economy. This will streamline processes, reduce trade barriers, and foster economic growth, ensuring more efficient trade facilitation for legitimate economic operators”.

The ERS is also set to develop an innovative Interinstitutional AEO Model, collaborating with at least one other government agency. Recent findings from the Time Release Study between Eswatini and South Africa (also supported by the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme), showed the need for a coordinated border management strategy to streamline the flow of goods and boost trade efficiency. The AEO Working Group's Action Plan focuses on piloting the AEO Programme with other agencies while integrating safety and security requirements, enhancing operational tools, crafting a compelling marketing strategy, engaging key stakeholders, and harnessing technology to elevate risk management and maximize trade facilitation benefits for AEOs.

The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme looks forward to continuing its multi-year partnership with the ERS promoting sustainable trade facilitation reforms and inclusive economic prosperity.

For more information on the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, please see here.

For more information on the WCO capacity building programme, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.