A world-class customs agency

An ambitious modernisation programme has included investments in digital technology to greatly simplify procedures (including a system of paperless customs declarations) and in geo-positioning systems to track consignments and combat smuggling and fraud. The new systems will also enable the tracking of goods coming into Abidjan destined for transit to neighbouring countries.
 

The DGD’s Director General, Colonel Major Issa Coulibaly, refers to an emphasis on “expertise, professionalism, modernisation and simplification” and on achieving best international standards in ethics, good governance and good practice, including bipartite appeals procedures, toll-free numbers to report possible wrongdoing and clear and written codes of procedure and behaviour. 

“From 2008 to 2012 customs revenues increased from CFA 786bn (£987m) to CFA 974bn. Over the last five years they grew on average by 5.5 per cent but spiked to 17 per cent in 2012” Colonel Major Issa Coulibaly, Director General of DGD

One of the DGD’s ambitions is to collaborate closely with other African nations to produce practical mutual benefits from greater regional integration of customs procedures and in this respect Col Coulibaly quotes the Authority’s General Secretary that “borders separate but customs unite”. 
 

Co-operation with the UK is also on the DGD’s agenda, perhaps in the wider use of scanners for containers or in using British expertise to extend the use of geo-positioning technology, or in the use of customs vessels to properly control goods being moved on lakes in Côte d’Ivoire.
 

With 46 per cent of national fiscal revenues coming from customs duties, the customs authority plays a key role in providing funds for national development. 
 

Revenues increased by 17 per cent in 2012 and are forecast to have grown by 20 per cent in 2013. It is clear that the DGD is amply fulfilling its obligation to the nation’s growth but, to echo the words Col Coulibaly uses about his nation itself, “there’s no secret”, it is simply the result of “clear choices, will and determination – and hard work”.