Kigali-3^rd May, 2018 - Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente called for customs modernisation to face challenges that prevent the custom sector to reach its targets. 

He made the call today, at the official opening of a two day meeting of the 23^rd Governing Council of the World Customs Organization - East and Southern Africa Region (WCO-ESA) convened in Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda. 

Among the challenges that hinder customs sector include cross border security, illegal importation of illicit drugs, human trafficking and illegal trading in general.

While thanking the World Customs Organization - East and Southern Africa Region for its role in providing capacity building leadership and managing innovations in the areas of sustainable customs, he reiterated the importance of cutoms in the sustainable development of Africa and urged the organisation to do more.

“The Africa that we want all and deserve, is an Africa that is developed, strong, united, trade to each other and resilient. To achieve that, we must deepen our regional integration and boost our economical abilities. In this regard, customs organisations in our respective countries, will play a key role.” Said the Prime Minister.

This 23^rd Governing Council of the World Customs Organization - East and Southern Africa Region (WCO-ESA) is one of the five regional blocks of Word Customs Organisation. It brings together 24 member countries of the East and Sourthen Africa. 

To read the whole speech of the Prime Minister, click <link>here