Imagine a cargo ship slowly docking at a port. Within its seemingly ordinary containers could lie the remains of endangered animals or illegally traded rare plants. The challenge for customs authorities is clear: how to detect and intercept these ecological threats hidden among vast volumes of legitimate goods?
Recently, the World Customs Organization (WCO) provided crucial support to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) through its INAMA project, enhancing the agency's risk management capabilities to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT).
Strengthening Defenses Against Wildlife Crime
Funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the INAMA project conducted two key phases in Malawi: a diagnostic mission in May 2019 followed by an implementation mission in February 2020. The initial assessment thoroughly evaluated MRA's existing risk management systems, with particular focus on identifying and addressing IWT-related risks. Teams examined procedures for intelligence gathering, risk assessment, and cargo inspection, analyzing current workflows and mechanisms.
During the implementation phase, WCO experts collaborated closely with MRA officials at headquarters and ports. Through specialized training and practical exercises, they developed customized risk analysis models to help officers more effectively identify high-risk shipments and suspicious activities. The initiative also introduced international best practices in risk management, significantly upgrading MRA's operational framework.
Regional Collaboration for Global Impact
The Malawi mission marked the completion of a GIZ-funded phase of the INAMA project. To foster regional cooperation, representatives from Malawi, Nigeria, and Vietnam convened in Hanoi from March 2-6, 2020 for a workshop on IWT risk management. Participants focused on developing universal and specialized risk analysis models and indicators to enhance cross-border enforcement coordination.
INAMA ("Combating Illegal Trade Between Africa and Asia") fundamentally aims to strengthen customs enforcement against IWT, particularly targeting species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). By providing technical assistance, capacity building, and international platforms, the project works toward creating a more secure and sustainable global trade environment.
Tangible Results in Malawi
The project's implementation in Malawi delivered measurable improvements across several critical areas:
- Enhanced Risk Framework: Established a systematic, comprehensive approach covering risk identification, assessment, response, and monitoring, enabling proactive rather than reactive enforcement.
- Advanced Analytical Skills: Training significantly improved officers' ability to utilize risk analysis tools and techniques for targeting suspicious shipments.
- Stronger International Ties: Created platforms for knowledge exchange with global counterparts to stay current on IWT trends and collaborative strategies.
- Improved Inspection Efficiency: Risk models enabled more precise targeting of high-risk cargo, reducing unnecessary checks while maintaining enforcement effectiveness.
- Public Awareness: Educational campaigns increased understanding of IWT's ecological and economic consequences, fostering community support.
As part of its global customs modernization efforts, WCO continues to expand INAMA's reach, providing technical support to additional nations while strengthening partnerships with international organizations. Through such coordinated action, authorities move closer to eliminating wildlife trafficking and protecting vulnerable species worldwide.
Malawian officials credited INAMA with delivering invaluable expertise to combat IWT more effectively, pledging continued collaboration with WCO and partner nations. GIZ reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these initiatives, contributing to safer and more sustainable global trade systems.