16 May 2025 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) hosted the 41st Regional Steering Group of the World Customs Organization (WCO) East and Southern Africa region (ESA) from 12–14 May, and the 31st Governing Council from 15–16 May 2025. The meetings reviewed key developments for the 2024–2025 reporting period and finalised the new ESA Regional Strategy (2025–2028). The meeting was attended by member customs administrations, regional entities, and other partners. It underscored participants’ strong commitment to strategic reform, capacity-building, and regional integration.
The meeting highlighted the central role played by customs administrations in facilitating trade, mobilising resources, and protecting society. A high-priority topic was the Trade Facilitation Agreement, which will help to lower trade barriers and eliminate inefficiencies, such as non-tariff barriers which raise costs and hinder economic integration.
As a key enabler of trade, the WCO is a critical voice supporting Africa’s participation in global trade and international agreements. The adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Area is a milestone for intra-African trade. However, its success depends on the capacity of customs administrations to eliminate non-tariff barriers and facilitate seamless cross-border movement. To achieve this goal, Ashor Sarupen, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Finance, pointed to tools such as enhanced connectivity, pre-arrival processing, and Authorized Economic Operator programmes as fundamental to the agenda. He noted that these require sustained investment in digital systems and modern infrastructure to remain effective. Equally challenging, is to deal with the rapid growth of e-commerce, which is straining existing customs systems.
Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary-General, spoke of the WCO’s contribution to developing responsive, inclusive policies that reflect the needs of diverse regions. This year marks a period of transformation in how the WCO engages with its members. Central to this transformation is the development of the WCO Strategic Plan, set to be finalised in 2025. This landmark plan is aligned with the year’s overarching theme of meaningful, member-driven change anchored in modernisation and collaboration. Efforts to strengthen the WCO’s operations, supported by the endorsed proposals and budget allocations, are progressing in tandem with its strategy. Concluding, the Secretary-General said that “the WCO remains committed to transparency, precision, and accountability underpinned by customs delivering on its commitment to efficiency, security, and prosperity”.
SARS Commissioner Mr Edward Kieswetter underscored the importance of the WCO ESA region, a bloc of 24 countries facing shared challenges and opportunities. The region remains relatively stable, rich in natural resources, and primed to harness its demographic dividend. Success will require coordinated strategy, innovative thinking, and a collective commitment to mutual growth. Customs administrations must integrate, use data, unlock the potential of e-commerce, and deepen partnerships with the public and private sectors. Through unity and bold collaboration, the ESA region can win progress toward a more connected and prosperous future.
Continuing the Commissioner observed that the African Continental Free Trade Area calls for revisiting traditional customs practices and embracing innovation. Importantly, the WCO was called upon to use its capacity to drive greater alignment with emerging global trends and deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors. Customs administrations must oversee trade, which is not only efficient, but also fair, contributing to more resilient and inclusive economies. The meeting concluded that modern customs operations must help to reduce tax leakages, lower trade costs, and expand the corporate tax base. Digital systems accelerate trade processes, while regional harmonisation integrates markets and boosts competitiveness. By strengthening customs, the meeting observed, countries can unlock the full benefits of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Finally, the Commissioner said that “undeniably, customs administrations globally are undergoing a period of unprecedented transformation, shaped by technological disruption, evolving risks, and geopolitical instability. While these changes present significant challenges, they also offer opportunities to build resilient, future-ready institutions, provided they are approached through structured reform, guided processes, and enhanced regional cooperation”.
The conference concluded the 31st Governing Council by convening elections, which saw South Africa elected unanimously to the position of Vice-Chair of WCO ESA that would take effect from 1 July 2025. As Vice-Chair, South Africa is expected to strengthen the governance arrangements and improve the sustainability of the regional office whilst steering the implementation of the region’s strategic priorities, including digital transformation, customs modernisation, revenue mobilisation, and regional cooperation as well. This role enhances South Africa’s global influence and standing. Madagascar was elected as Deputy Vice-Chair and Kenya as an Additional Member to the WCO Policy Commission.
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