Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Annan Kanor, has joined customs chiefs and trade experts from across Africa at the 32nd Conference of Directors General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCO-WCA) region currently underway in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The high-level conference, taking place from May 4 to May 8, 2026, has brought together more than 150 customs experts, policymakers and revenue administrators from 28 countries to deliberate on the future of customs administration, regional trade security and cross-border cooperation.
Held at the Freetown International Conference Centre, the summit is focused on strengthening customs systems across the region while repositioning customs institutions beyond traditional revenue collection roles.
This year’s conference is being held under the theme, “A customs service that protects society through its vigilance and commitment,” highlighting the increasing responsibility of customs agencies in combating transnational crimes, illicit trade and security threats across Africa.
Opening the conference, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio described customs officials as critical protectors of national economies and security systems, stressing that modern customs operations must go beyond taxation to include the prevention of illegal activities that threaten public safety.
Discussions at the conference have centred heavily on digital transformation and the adoption of modern border management systems aimed at improving efficiency while tightening security controls.
Key topics under consideration include the implementation of electronic single-window systems to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, the use of advanced cargo scanning technologies and data analytics for risk assessment, as well as stronger collaboration among member states under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff framework.
Delegates are also exploring strategies to combat the trafficking of counterfeit medicines, narcotics, illicit weapons and other transnational criminal activities that continue to undermine economic growth and regional stability.
The conference has further emphasized the growing importance of “smart borders,” where technology-driven systems are expected to facilitate legitimate trade while improving surveillance and enforcement capabilities.
The Commissioner, Aaron Annan Kanor is expected to participate in strategic discussions on regional integration, trade facilitation and customs reforms, particularly as African countries intensify efforts to boost intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Hosting the continental gathering is being viewed as a major diplomatic and economic boost for Sierra Leone, with authorities using the opportunity to showcase reforms within the country’s revenue and customs administration systems.