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The WCO expands its network of PCA accredited experts in the West & Central and East & Southern Africa regions

14 February 2025

The WCO organized a Pre-Accreditation Workshop on Post-Clearance audit (PCA), hosted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), in Pretoria from 10 to 14 February 2025. The Workshop was organized for selected candidates from the WCO West & Central Africa and the East & Southern Africa regions. It was made possible under the framework of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the United Kingdom.

This Workshop served to strengthen the WCO expert pool as part of the WCO’s strategic approach to foster peer-to-peer exchange and a timely response to the needs expressed by Members in the region. On behalf of SARS, Ms. Thabile Ntombela, Head of International Cooperation, welcomed all participants and highlighted the importance of having a pool of accredited experts while underlining that PCA plays a crucial role in Customs control by contributing to the promotion of legitimate trade and trade facilitation processes.

Following a competitive selection process, the workshop brought together eleven selected participants from Botswana, the Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. The candidates were assessed on their relevant technical knowledge and application, presentation and facilitation skills, communication and advisory skills, overall knowledge of key WCO tools and instruments, and teamwork capabilities. Throughout the intensive five-day workshop, participants had the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, techniques and, very importantly, enthusiasm to contribute to future capacity-building activities organized by the WCO.

Successful candidates in the workshop will be invited to the next stage of the WCO expert accreditation process to participate in an in-field capacity-building mission. Those who complete the full accreditation process will join the WCO pool of experts and support Members in WCO technical assistance on PCA.

For more information about PCA, please click here.

For more information on the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, please see here.