AES and Togo meet to harmonize customs procedures

Customs experts from the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—and Togo are meeting in Ouagadougou to harmonize customs procedures and facilitate trade. The meeting, held from October 12 to 14, 2026, focuses on creating a fluid and secure commercial environment.

A primary objective is to finalize a decision establishing a preferential confederate tariff regime, which includes defining rules of origin and certification procedures. Discussions also center on interconnecting the computer systems of member nations and adopting harmonized community texts to reduce import-export costs, streamline the movement of goods, and combat cross-border fraud.

While Togo is not a member of the AES, it serves as a strategic partner due to the Port of Lomé, which provides reliable maritime access for the landlocked Sahelian states. Dr. Yves Kafando, Director General of Customs for Burkina Faso, emphasized that these measures are essential for mobilizing public revenue, monitoring trade flows, and consolidating state sovereignty.