AFRITAC East Hosts Regional Workshop on E-Commerce and Customs Controls in Malawi
AFRITAC East has convened a regional workshop in Lilongwe, Malawi, to address the challenges of e-commerce regulation and customs enforcement amid a surge in digital trade. The five-day event, running from February 3 to 7, brings together 38 participants from eight member countries to enhance risk management and trade facilitation measures.
Opening the session on behalf of the Commissioner General of the Malawi Revenue Authority, Deputy Commissioner of Customs Mr. Khumbo Gondwe underscored the need for customs administrations to strike a balance between regulatory oversight and fostering innovation in e-commerce.
He urged delegates to harness digital tools for improved risk profiling, fraud detection, and compliance, aligning with global standards such as the World Customs Organization’s Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce.
Senior customs officials and trade experts at the workshop explored practical strategies to mitigate risks associated with digital trade, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and modernize customs controls across the region.
Discussions reflected growing concerns over illicit financial flows, tax evasion, and regulatory loopholes in Africa’s rapidly expanding e-commerce sector.
With digital transactions reshaping global trade, customs authorities in Africa are under mounting pressure to adopt technology-driven solutions to safeguard revenue collection while ensuring efficient cross-border trade.
The outcomes of the workshop are expected to inform policy reforms and capacity-building efforts across member states.
