A series of pilot projects are being planned where Senegal will begin connecting, through IT systems using UNeDocs standards, with customs systems across international borders. Senegal is one of the few countries in Africa to have a bespoke customs IT system including a single window and they plan to use this infrastructure to exchange messages such as import/export declarations between companies and customs in France, UK, Kenya and Malaysia. The pilot will also consider the exchange of certificates of origin (a document notoriously complex and subject to frequent errors) in electronic form across these countries.
The hope is that this pilot project could form the basis of future paperless trade between a developing country and developed country markets. This would enhance speed and efficiency in handling exports/imports and if they are successful the results could be replicated across ECOWAS and WAEMU regions and further afield.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 62, Autumn 2007
