Angola customs expansion and modernisation programme

In less than ten years Angola has emerged from the grip of civil conflict to become a recognised symbol of stability and economic development in today's Africa.

Its determination to enhance the trading environment has led to rapidly expanding inward investment. As a result, the country is benefiting from the highest rate of economic growth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with greater job opportunities and social improvement for its people.

A major contribution to this remarkable progress has been the expansion and modernisation of the National Directorate of Customs.

In 2001 the Government of Angola embarked upon an ambitious, self-funded programme to expand and modernise its National Customs Directorate. Crown Agents was chosen as the partner to support in the delivery of this vitally important change.

The Angola programme was bold and demanding and its results have been dramatic. The programme focuses not only on Angola's need to implement modern practices but on laying solid foundations for the organisation to anticipate and keep pace with an expanding economy, increased trade and ever more sophisticated demands that global supply chain security is placing upon customs administrations worldwide. From the outset, it was recognised that the modernisation programme would need to be innovative, take advantage of the latest technology and management development ideas, and have the full and visible support of government.

Crown Agents has provided long-term specialist support throughout the programme encompassing a wide range of initiatives such as; institutional development, capacity building, operations, policy development, information technology, Mobile Support Groups (MSGs), trade information analyses, integrated enforcement, post-entry audit, human resource development, business planning and many more.

Following a visit to Angola by a WCO SAFE Framework of Standards diagnostic team to evaluate the Customs organisation the WCO reported:

"The Angolan Government's Customs Expansion and Modernisation Programme in partnership with Crown Agents has achieved impressive results, in particular the significant increase in Customs revenue from US$215.45 million in 2001 to US$1.061 million in 2005."