Zambia is pioneering the introduction of standardised accredited training for clearing and forwarding agents in a project that has potential for the whole continent, says John Mumba, chairperson of the Zambia Customs and Forwarding Agents Association (ZCFAA). “We are the first in Africa to put a system in place to modernise the training and licensing of clearing and forwarding agents,” he says. The project is being financed through the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, and has the support of the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). Courses will focus on improving the competency of clearing agents to apply ZRA regulations classification and the harmonised tariff schedule (HS code). A working group is developing a curriculum in order to help the industry as a whole to become “more professional” in the way freight is handled as a way of promoting trade facilitation. “The objective is professionalising the industry through accredited training that will provide a clear career path for clearing and forwarding agents,” he says. The first modules are expected to be made available by the middle of the year. Freight forwarding associations from a number of other African countries have expressed interest in the training and are monitoring the progress, he says.
