In a significant step towards enhancing trade facilitation and customs efficiency, a team of experts from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has extended technical assistance to the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in implementing the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program and strengthening Risk Management (RM) frameworks.
This collaboration, supported by the World Customs Organization (WCO) Accelerates Trade Facilitation, aims to bolster Gambia’s Customs Administration and align it with international best practices.
The AEO Program is a key initiative under the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, designed to foster a secure and seamless trade environment.
By granting trusted traders preferential treatment, such as expedited clearance and fewer inspections, the program enhances trade efficiency and compliance.
WCO experts from URA are working closely with their counterparts at GRA to develop a structured AEO implementation strategy tailored to The Gambia’s trade ecosystem, build the capacity of Customs officials on AEO accreditation, compliance requirements, and benefits.
The Gambia is also being tipped on how to engage stakeholders to raise awareness about the program, as well as establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of the AEO framework.
This initiative is expected to reduce clearance times, minimize trade costs, and position The Gambia as a more competitive player in regional and global trade.
In addition to the AEO Program, the WCO-backed technical assistance has focused on strengthening Risk Management within GRA. Efficient risk-based customs operations are crucial for balancing trade facilitation with security and revenue collection.
Experts from URA also provided guidance on Data-driven risk assessment techniques to identify high-risk consignments, implementing an automated risk management system to enhance targeting and profiling capabilities.
By adopting these enhanced risk management strategies, GRA aims to improve border security, compliance rates, and operational efficiency, while minimizing disruptions for compliant traders.
The GRA Commissioner General, Yankuba Darboe expressed gratitude for the support.
“This initiative will significantly strengthen our trade facilitation efforts and reinforce our commitment to implementing global best practices. We appreciate the expertise shared by our colleagues from Uganda and the support from WCO in making this possible,” he said.
Similarly, URA officials reaffirmed their commitment to peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, emphasizing that efficient customs processes are vital for Africa’s economic transformation.
As the Gambia Revenue Authority advances in implementing the AEO Program and modernizing Risk Management, this collaboration is expected to enhance trade efficiency, boost investor confidence, and contribute to economic growth.
