Africa poised for maritime trade lift with Customs reforms, says WCO Chief

By Grace Edet

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has said Africa stands on the brink of major maritime trade expansion if customs administrations accelerate modernisation and deepen regional cooperation.
WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders made the statement at the Customs–Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference on Tuesday, noting that improved customs systems will drive efficiency across ports, transit corridors, and regional supply chains.
Saunders said modernising customs operations was central to boosting Africa’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning the continent’s seaports and logistics hubs for increased global traffic.
“The realities of international trade and the ambitions of AfCFTA make modernising customs systems, processes, and governance essential to achieving smoother, faster, and more predictable cross-border transactions across Africa,” he said.
Speaking on the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,” Saunders acknowledged Africa’s logistical constraints but emphasised the resilience and growing sophistication of customs administrations across the continent.
He noted that despite infrastructure gaps and complex transit procedures, customs officials continue to “operate effectively, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and consistent efficiency” in managing cross-border trade in diverse environments.
Saunders said the strongest gains for Africa’s maritime and land-based trade will come from coordinated reforms backed by technology, stronger partnerships, and digitised border processes.
“It involves building IT systems capable of capturing all border transaction data through integrated single-window systems, improving efficiency, transparency, and predictability for cross-border trade operations across multiple jurisdictions,” he explained.
He added that modern trade facilitation depends on advanced measures such as pre-submission of information, risk assessment, post-clearance audits, and streamlined origin-certification procedures.
“The value of these processes lies in predictability, timely decisions, and focusing scrutiny where warranted, ensuring efficient trade while maintaining compliance and border security,” he said.
Saunders advocated stronger collaboration among customs administrations, policymakers, political leaders, and border agencies to fully unlock trade opportunities.
“Maximising trade opportunities requires collaboration among customs authorities, trade policymakers, political leaders, and other government agencies responsible for border clearance and facilitation,” he said.
He emphasised that traders, logistics providers, and maritime service actors remain central to the continent’s trade growth. Their input, he said, “supplied the goods, services, and options critical to meeting trade expectations and promoting regional economic growth.”
According to him, stronger public–private partnerships create a “healthier trade ecosystem,” enabling more coherent, efficient, and secure border management.
Saunders highlighted efficient transit as a cornerstone of regional integration, especially for landlocked states relying on seaports for imports and exports.
“In Africa, efficient transit procedures, including the use of carnés, reduce delays, ensure predictable treatment for traders, and complement other procedural measures established by the WCO for customs guidance,” he added.
Describing the C-PACT conference as a turning point, Saunders said it offers Africa a platform to build stronger systems, deepen economic integration, and strengthen its position in global trade.
“I am confident that the discussions, strengthened partnerships, and insights gained here will generate momentum, bringing Africa closer to its trade aspirations and reinforcing its position in the global economy,” he said.
With port reforms, digital customs systems, and regional coordination gaining momentum, the WCO believes Africa is well-placed to unlock new maritime trade corridors, attract investment, and strengthen its export competitiveness under AfCFTA.