On 02 June 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) informed that under the auspices of its and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Joint Project, it held a Refresher Course for Master Trainers on Customs Valuation in Southern Africa from 13 to 15 May in Brussels.
Thirteen Master Trainers from five 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 other regions.
Their expertise has significantly enhanced customs practices in customs valuation and supported achieving the WCO’s strategic plan objectives. The refresher workshop aimed to enhance their knowledge and skills further, recognising their invaluable contributions as Customs Valuation experts.
The opening session featured a motivating address from the WCO leadership. In his welcome remarks, the WCO Secretary General (SG) highlighted Master Trainers’ significant contribution to Customs practice. The SG 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.
Emphasising the crucial role of customs valuation in ensuring proper revenue collection, the SG expressed his appreciation for their continued dedication, especially in light of developments such as establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The SG 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 implementing 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.
The WCO Deputy Secretary General (DSG) also addressed the participants during the closing ceremony, acknowledging the significant contributions of the Master Trainers to regional and global Customs initiatives. The DSG encouraged them to make full use of and share the knowledge gained during the three-day refresher workshop and continue expanding their networks.
The WCO believes that 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.