Visionary Reports

Curtains dropped on a three day workshop on Thursday May 7 in Douala organised by UNICEF, in partnership with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) and the Government of Cameroon. The workshop that ran from 5-7 May brought together participants from all over Cameroon was to strengthen the digitalization, simplification, and efficiency of import, customs clearance, and transit procedures for essential humanitarian and health supplies.The workshop officially marks Phase 2 of the Accelerating Digitalization and Efficiency in Procurement and Trade Delivery of Essential Products Together- ADEPT programme Cameroon.

Representatives from key government ministries, including Public Health, Finance, and External Relations as well as the Customs Administration and the Single Window for Foreign Trade Operations (GUCE), United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector partners all took part.For three days, participants map out and review processes related to tax exemptions and customs clearance, identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, and digitalization, explore measures to reduce avoidable costs, including demurrage and detention charges, as well as strengthening coordination of transit operations to neighbouring countries.According to the chief of supply and logistics UNICEF Cameroon , Madam Ling Chen, the ADEPT programme was launched in 2024 by UNICEF and GATF to reduce delays, costs, and administrative burdens linked to importing vital goods such as vaccines, medicines, medical equipment, and nutrition inputs. She said Cameroon was identified as a priority country because of its strategic position as a regional logistics hub serving as a gateway for deliveries to landlocked countries including the Central African Republic, Chad, and Sudan.It came out from the workshop that, joint analysis by UNICEF and partners found that Cameroon’s current import and clearance processes can involve up to 44 steps and multiple institutions. UNICEF says these constraints contribute to avoidable delays and increased costs, which in turn can hinder the timely arrival of life-saving supplies to communities in need.“Efficient and predictable import procedures are critical to ensuring that vaccines, medicines and other essential supplies reach children and communities who need them most, on time. Through the ADEPT programme, UNICEF is supporting the Government of Cameroon in addressing systemic barriers and sustainably strengthening the supply chain”, madam Ling Chen, said As curtain dropped on the workshop on Thursday May 7 participants agreed on practical next steps, such as better alignment of tax exemption procedures with national digital systems like GUCE, harmonization of existing practices, and the creation of a multi-sectoral technical working group to support ongoing coordination and follow-up.“By encouraging constructive dialogue among public authorities, the private sector and humanitarian partners, ADEPT helps build shared understanding and strengthen cooperation around trade procedures. Cameroon is demonstrating strong commitment to enhancing collaboration and further consolidating its role as a regional logistics corridor,” noted a representative of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation.It is worth noting that the initiative is aligned with Cameroon’s international commitments under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), supporting improved access to essential supplies across Cameroon and the wider sub-region.

By Gina ESONG