The World Customs Organization (WCO) is reinforcing its long-standing partnership with the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) to reinforce Customs efficiency and drive commerce facilitation reforms.
As a part of its multi-year strategic partnership underneath the auspices of the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, as financially supported by the United Kingdom, the WCO performed a four-day workshop from 10 to 13 March 2025 in Banjul, to help the GRA in making use of internationally acknowledged WCO efficiency measurement mechanism, guaranteeing alignment with international requirements and good practices. The WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) is a globally acknowledged framework that assesses Customs effectivity throughout key areas akin to Trade facilitation, Revenue assortment, Customs enforcement, and Organizational improvement.
At the workshop’s opening session, GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe emphasised the significance of efficiency measurement in trendy Customs administration:
“Today’s capacity building initiative on application of the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism is part of our journey to strengthen our organizational performance measurement system. The Gambia acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in July 2017 and the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention in June 2023, committing to global Trade Facilitation and Customs standards. Recognizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, the GRA requested this training to enhance its evidence-based performance tracking. By implementing the WCO PMM, the GRA is strengthening its ability to monitor performance, improve operational efficiency, and align with international obligations. This evidence-based approach will directly impact economic development and the business environment.”
GRA Commissioner of Customs, Alhagie Ok. Mbye, highlighted the workshop’s long-term affect:
“The insights and skills gained through this initiative will be integrated into our strategic plans for the next five years. This training also reinforces our commitment to African Union (AU) trade facilitation priorities, including coordinated border management, voluntary compliance programme, and automated risk management systems”.
The GRA started its partnership with the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme in 2021. The Programme goals at supporting associate international locations to successfully implement the provisions of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The TFA is a binding and obligatory settlement and incorporates provisions expediting the motion, launch and clearance of products. The TFA is broadly recognised as a possibility to get not simply Customs on board however all stakeholders for efficient commerce facilitation reforms to spice up a rustic’s nationwide competitiveness and to foster sustainable improvement via inclusive enhance in worldwide commerce. This is very essential for smaller firms, that are affected by burdensome border procedures.
Arman Zhalitov, Country & Project Lead of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, counseled the GRA’s management and dedication to reform and Customs effectivity, stating:
“Since 2021, our collaboration resulted in now having a robust multi-year strategic partnership with The Gambia, supporting various WTO TFA technical areas including the Coordinated Border Management, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Time Release Study, and the National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN). These initiatives aim to streamline cross-border trade, reduce delays, and support businesses by easing complex border procedures”.
He added that the WCO stays dedicated to supporting the GRA in attaining its strategic and commerce facilitation targets, and appears ahead to persevering with its partnership with The Gambia to advertise sustainable commerce facilitation reforms and inclusive financial prosperity.
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