If enhancing regional economic competitiveness were a marathon, capacity building would serve as the crucial logistical support system. The World Customs Organization (WCO) understands this principle well and is taking concrete action to inject new vitality into the economic development of the East and Southern Africa (AOA) region.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the WCO's support mission to the Kenya Regional Training Center (CRF) from June 27-29, 2017, as part of the "WCO-ESA Project II" funded by Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The initiative aimed to strengthen regional cooperation networks within AOA through capacity building to enhance overall competitiveness.
Project Background and Objectives: Collaborative Development
The "WCO-ESA Project II" represents a significant WCO initiative to support economic development in East and Southern Africa through capacity building, technical assistance, and regional cooperation to improve customs administration and trade facilitation. The Kenya Regional Training Center serves as a key implementation partner.
Primary objectives included:
- Strengthening regional cooperation networks among AOA members
- Enhancing CRF's capabilities in economic competitiveness
- Optimizing CRF's functions to better serve regional capacity building needs
Diagnostic Assessment: Identifying Strengths and Opportunities
The WCO and CRF conducted a comprehensive evaluation through:
- Capacity assessment of personnel, facilities, and curriculum
- Analysis of regional event organization experience
- Benchmarking against WCO best practices
- Expert discussions to identify improvement areas
The assessment revealed CRF's strengths in regional event coordination, strategic location, and staff dedication, while identifying opportunities in:
- Strategic planning clarity
- Curriculum development
- Faculty enhancement
- Funding diversification
Recommendations and Future Direction
The joint team developed improvement strategies including:
- Developing clear strategic plans with measurable objectives
- Expanding course offerings in customs valuation, rules of origin, and IP protection
- Strengthening faculty through international experts and professional development
- Diversifying funding sources through government and international partnerships
- Enhancing regional collaboration with other training institutions
- Implementing robust evaluation mechanisms
Regional Impact: Building Sustainable Competitiveness
The initiative carries significant implications for AOA's development:
- Enhancing customs administration and trade facilitation
- Advancing regional economic integration
- Supporting sustainable development goals
Through this collaborative effort, the Kenya Regional Training Center is positioned to become a regional center of excellence in economic competitiveness, while establishing a replicable model for capacity building initiatives worldwide.