By Harriet Tornguvan
The Director-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officially handed over the Vice Chairmanship of the World Customs Organization - West and Central Africa (WCO-WCA) region to the Director-General of Mali Customs, Amadou Konate
The ceremony, which took place during a formal meeting of the WCO-WCA in Abuja on the 13th August 2024 marks the continuation of regional cooperation and leadership in customs administration.
The handover signifies a smooth transition in leadership, reflecting the collaborative spirit that defines the WCO-WCA region.
The Vice Chairmanship role is pivotal in driving strategic initiatives, fostering regional integration, and ensuring that member countries adhere to international best practices in customs operations.
In the handover speech, DG Adeniyi highlighted the achievements of his tenure, including enhanced regional cooperation, capacity building, and the adoption of innovative technologies that have strengthened customs processes across member states.
The Custom Boss expressed confidence in DG Togola's ability to continue these efforts, emphasizing the importance of unity and shared goals in advancing the region's customs framework.
DG Amadou Konate expressed gratitude in his acceptance speech for the trust placed in him by his colleagues and acknowledged the significant work done by his predecessor.
He committed to building on the foundations laid by Nigeria's leadership, focusing on further enhancing cooperation, improving revenue generation, and tackling challenges such as smuggling and transnational crime.
The handover is seen as a reaffirmation of the region's commitment to the WCO's principles of enhancing global trade security and facilitation. With Mali at the helm, the WCO-WCA region is poised to continue its trajectory of growth, innovation, and improved customs governance.
The event was attended by representatives from member states, who applauded the seamless transition and reiterated their support for the new Vice Chair.
The leadership change comes at a time when the WCO-WCA is focusing on key areas such as digital transformation, capacity building, and the fight against illicit trade, all of which are crucial to the region's economic development.
The WCO-WCA region, comprising 24 member countries, plays a critical role in the global customs community, and this transition in leadership is expected to further strengthen its contributions to global trade facilitation and security.
