Finland Funds Customs Modernization in East and Southern Africa

Finland Funds Customs Modernization in East and Southern Africa

Finland is funding a WCO project to support customs modernization and enhance trade capacity in East and Southern Africa. The project is progressing well, focusing on five key areas including leadership and enforcement. The initiative aims to improve customs efficiency, security, and compliance with international standards, ultimately fostering regional economic growth and integration by strengthening customs administrations in the region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Africa Adopts New Strategies to Boost Aviation Fuel Efficiency

Africa Adopts New Strategies to Boost Aviation Fuel Efficiency

Improving fuel efficiency is crucial for African airlines. IATA offers data tools, best practices, and consulting services to support this goal. New technologies and flight optimization software play a significant role in energy conservation. Taking action is essential to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs. By implementing these strategies, African airlines can enhance their sustainability and competitiveness in the global market.

12/30/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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Amazon Relaxes Japan Toy Rules Plans South Africa Growth

Amazon Relaxes Japan Toy Rules Plans South Africa Growth

Amazon Japan has adjusted its compliance policy for the children's toy category, lowering the target age threshold, which benefits toy sellers by reducing costs. Simultaneously, Amazon South Africa is about to launch, providing cross-border e-commerce sellers with an opportunity to seize the African market. Sellers should seize this opportunity, adjust their strategies, and embrace new growth points. This expansion presents a significant advantage for businesses looking to tap into a new and emerging market with potentially high growth potential.

12/30/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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Temu Gains Ground Against Ecommerce Giants in US Africa

Temu Gains Ground Against Ecommerce Giants in US Africa

Pinduoduo's cross-border e-commerce platform, Temu, has rapidly risen to prominence with its low-price strategy, surpassing Amazon and SHEIN to top the US App Store shopping charts and actively expanding into the African market. This article delves into the factors behind Temu's success, Z generation consumer preferences, the potential of the African e-commerce market, and how sellers can capitalize on the new opportunities presented by Temu. It also looks ahead to Temu's future development prospects, highlighting the platform's disruptive approach to the global e-commerce landscape.

12/30/2025 Logistics Industry Insights
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West and Central Africa Boost Security with Customs Network

West and Central Africa Boost Security with Customs Network

The West and Central Africa Customs Organization (WCO) enhanced the intelligence capabilities and Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) application skills of customs officers in the region through a webinar. This initiative aims to strengthen intelligence sharing and jointly combat fraud and transnational organized crime, thereby maintaining regional security and stability. The webinar focused on improving the officers' abilities to collect, analyze, and disseminate customs intelligence, ultimately contributing to a more effective and coordinated approach to law enforcement within the region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Gambia Revenue Authority Leads HR Modernization in West Africa

Gambia Revenue Authority Leads HR Modernization in West Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, is supporting the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in implementing a competency-based human resource management model. A WCO expert team reviewed GRA's HR management tools and provided recommendations for improvement and an implementation plan. GRA is expected to become a benchmark in human resource management in the West and Central African region, offering valuable lessons for other countries. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the GRA through strategic human resource development.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Middle East North Africa Crack Down on Customs Fraud

Middle East North Africa Crack Down on Customs Fraud

A Customs Valuation and Fraud Workshop was held in Jordan, supported by the World Customs Organization and the China Customs Cooperation Fund. The workshop aimed to enhance the professional skills of customs officers from North Africa, the Near East, and the Middle East. It focused on the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation, the application of the Revenue Package, and fraud response. Through case studies and risk management discussions, the workshop promoted regional cooperation and the construction of a fair trade environment.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Temu Expands Discount Strategy to North America and Africa

Temu Expands Discount Strategy to North America and Africa

After rapidly capturing the North American market with its low-price strategy, Pinduoduo's cross-border platform Temu is now targeting the African e-commerce market. Compared to Europe and North America, the African market offers immense potential but also presents significant challenges. It remains to be seen whether Temu can replicate its success in Africa and compete with rivals like SHEIN. This expansion and potential competition warrant close attention.

01/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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WCO Belgian Customs College Enhance Francophone Africa Customs Training

WCO Belgian Customs College Enhance Francophone Africa Customs Training

This paper analyzes a capacity-building program for Francophone African customs officials, a collaboration between the Belgian Customs Academy and the World Customs Organization. The program, employing methods like curriculum supplementation, field visits, and virtual reality training, aims to enhance the professional skills of African customs officials and their ability to navigate complex trade environments. The article highlights the importance of regional cooperation, localized application, technological innovation, and evaluation mechanisms in capacity building. It also provides relevant recommendations for improving future programs.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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South Africa Boosts Border Tech Leadership with WCO Backing

South Africa Boosts Border Tech Leadership with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a leadership and management development workshop for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) executive team. The workshop aimed to enhance teamwork and individual leadership skills, enabling them to address key challenges and effectively implement trade facilitation reforms. Focusing on personal communication, team trust, and organizational strategic management, the workshop facilitated the development of tailored action plans. These plans support the SARS leadership model and the construction of 'Smart Borders,' ultimately striving for a more efficient and secure trading environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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