The Director-General of Burkina Faso's Customs, Inspector Yves Kafando, officially opened a meeting of customs experts from AES member states in Ouagadougou on October 12, 2026. The meeting brings together representatives from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, as well as experts from Togo's Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR). The discussions focus on implementing previous recommendations, creating a preferential tariff regime, and capacity building.
The meeting marks a significant step in customs cooperation within the Sahel region. Kafando emphasized the importance of solidarity, experience sharing, and economic and security sovereignty. He highlighted the need for collective action to enhance customs cooperation and support the ambitions of the AES. The customs administrations play a crucial role in mobilizing public revenue, controlling trade flows, combating fraud, and protecting national economies.
Kafando called for better detection, prevention, and suppression of various forms of fraud that disrupt trade. He also stressed the importance of pursuing reforms aimed at facilitating trade, including harmonizing legislation, digitalizing procedures, and interconnecting computer systems. These measures are essential for improving the efficiency of services and controlling merchandise flows.
The experts are examining three priority dossiers during the 48-hour meeting. The first concerns the implementation of recommendations from the Bamako meeting in October 2025. The objective is to assess progress, identify challenges, and define actions to maintain cooperation momentum. The second dossier involves a project to establish a preferential tariff regime for AES member states.
The third axis concerns a strategy to strengthen the capacity of customs administrations in AES member states. This strategy, developed with the Burkina Faso Institute of Public Finance, aims to develop technical and professional competencies. The experts must formulate concrete proposals adapted to local realities and commercial and technological developments.
Kafando emphasized the role of experts in translating the vision of Heads of State into operational proposals and informing decisions by customs officials. He invited participants to make the meeting a space for reflection and solutions, contributing to a coherent, modern, and effective customs architecture. The meeting's conclusions will be examined by Directors-General of Customs from AES member states and the Commissioner-General of OTR.
The meeting's success depends on follow-up recommendations and their effective implementation. The presence of Togolese experts illustrates the willingness to strengthen experience exchanges and technical partnerships. The Director-General of Burkina Faso's Customs praised OTR's availability and engagement, recognizing its contribution to modernization and training efforts.
Key points
- Strengthening customs cooperation within AES member states.
- Enhancing capacity building and experience sharing among customs administrations.
- Implementing a preferential tariff regime to facilitate trade within the AES.
