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International cooperation

WCO Launches Groundbreaking Master Trainer Programme on Geospatial Intelligence in West Africa

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a significant move to implement the WCO Action Plan on Fragile Borders, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has collaborated with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to launch the WCO Master Trainer Programme (MTP) on Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) in West Africa. The programme aims to support participating regions in developing a sustainable and autonomous training capacity by equipping participants with the skills to use geospatial technologies for mapping, analyzing, and monitoring border activities. The first Working Group activity (WG1) of the MTP took place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 2-6, 2025, with participants from five West Africa WCO Members countries, including Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WCO has launched the Master Trainer Programme (MTP) on Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) in West Africa, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
  • The programme aims to develop a sustainable and autonomous training capacity in participating regions, focusing on the use of geospatial technologies for mapping, analyzing, and monitoring border activities.
  • The first Working Group activity (WG1) of the MTP took place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 2-6, 2025, with participants from five West Africa WCO Member countries.
  • The participants were trained on the use of QGIS, a software for developing GEOINT, and developed use cases tailored to the needs of Customs operations.
  • The programme also aims to develop training materials, such as manuals on QGIS in the context of Customs, to train relevant officers in the region.
  • The WCO and JICA welcomed the strong ownership and commitment demonstrated by the WG members and reaffirmed their cooperation to support ongoing capacity development efforts in Africa.

Statistics:

  • Five West Africa WCO Member countries participated in the first Working Group activity (WG1) of the MTP: Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.
  • Fifteen Customs officials from the participating countries participated in the WG1 activity.
  • The programme aims to equip participants with the skills to use geospatial technologies for mapping, analyzing, and monitoring border activities.
  • The WCO and JICA collaborated on the programme, with the former providing expertise and the latter providing financial support.
  • The programme has the potential to benefit Customs administrations in Africa by enhancing their border management capabilities.

Sources:

  • World Customs Organization. "WCO Launches the Groundbreaking Master Trainer Programme on Geospatial Intelligence in West Africa." [Online]. Available: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2025/july/wco-launches-the-groundbreaking-mtp-on-geospatial-intelligence-in-west-africa.aspx. [Accessed 2025].

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