KEY AGENDA THEMES

Thought Leading Conference, Panel Discussions & Workshops

Participate in thought leadership conference and workshops as Africa Trade & Customs Week tackles some of the most critical challenges and questions facing the industry. As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to engage, learn and share knowledge with world-renowned industry experts, keynote speakers and thought leaders:

With attendees from 65+ countries, Africa Trade & Customs Week Summit will cover capabilities across the entire customs value chain. In turn, the show is set to offer you unprecedented networking opportunities and engagement programs.

Attended by a global audience Africa Trade & Customs Week will see high profile attendees: heads of Customs Organization, industry and government decision makers, VIPs, and Senior executives.

Tailored networking programs will serve to support Rwanda’s agenda by promoting local business, featuring industry talent, and offering education opportunities while helping you make the most out of your visit.

Working Agenda

DAY 1 WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2023

07:30

Attendee Registration

Welcome Refreshments and Networking

08:30

Opening prayer

Ellen Magaya, Chairwomen Dadem Foundation NPC

08:35

Opening performance

Inganji Dance Troupe

08:45

Organizers Opening Remarks

Dale Magaya, Chief Executive Officer, Dadem Investments Pty Ltd

08:55

 

Host Country Government  Welcome Address  

Dr. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Trade, and Industry Rwanda 

09:10

World Customs Organization Keynote Address

Ian Saunders, Secretary General Elect, World Customs Organization

09:30

Customs Authority Keynote Address

Mr Wale Adeniyi, PSC (+) Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service

09:45

Host Country Customs Authority Keynote Address

 Mr Felicien Mwumvaneza, Commissioner for Customs Services, Rwanda Revenue Authority

10:00

Utilising Free Trade Agreement to Establish Strong Economic & Trade Relations

Moderator:

  • Creck Buyonge Mirito, Chief Executive Officer/Chairman, African Customs Policy Network NPC

Panelists

  • Eugene Torero,Senior Director, TradeMark Africa
  • Ian Saunders, Secretary General Elect, World Customs Organization
  • Gyang Demitta Chinwude, Director, Customs Cooperation, Trade Facilitation and Transit, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat
  • Ms. AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade U.S. Customs and Border Protection

10:50

Morning Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing

11:30

Corporate Presentation

                                                                                 Sponsored By  CargoX

Presenter: Igor Jakomin, Deputy CEO

11:50

Leaders Roundtable: Manifesting the AEO system as a Global Standard of Security and Efficiency

Moderator:

  • Dan Garcia, Senior Analyst, SIMS Worldwide

Panelists

  • Fred Seka, Founder & Managing Director, Gorilla Logistics Ltd
  • Ian Saunders, Secretary General Elect, World Customs Organization
  • Mark Goodger,  Managing Director, Global Maritime Legal Solutions (Pty) Ltd
  • Mrs. Flavia Busingye, Acting Director Customs,  East African Community (EAC) Secretariat

12:40

Networking Lunch  

Exhibition Viewing

14:00

Promotional AD                            Powered by Strategy Object

14:05

Fostering the Use of Mobile E-Commerce and Digital Customs to Improve Trade Facilitation

Moderator:

  • Dan Garcia, Senior Analyst, SIMS Worldwide

Panelists

  • Vjeran Ortynski, Vice President Business Development, CargoX
  • Arno Kooij, Dept Director General,  Customs Administration of the Netherlands
  • Netta Gichuki, Manager Risk Management Division, Customs & Border Control, Kenya Revenue Authority
  • Silvia Sorescu, Policy Analyst / Project lead Trade facilitation Trade Policy Division Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Organization for Economic Co-operation, &  Development

14:55

Corporate Presentation

                                                                                Powered by Customs Administration of the Netherlands

 

Presenter:  Arno Kooij, Dept Director General

15:15

Discussing Opportunities, Trends & Challenges in Customs & Trade Facilitation in The Next 5 Years

Moderator:

  • Sanusi Tasiu Saulawa, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Nigerian Customs Service

Panelists

  • Mr. Eugene Torero,Senior Director, TradeMark Africa
  • Larry Liza, Director , World Customs Organization ROCB
  • Florence Binta Diao-Gueye,  Global Policy Lead, Trade & Customs. The International Chamber of Commerce
  • Pramod Bagalwadi, Vice President Customs & Regulatory Services Middle East & Africa Region, DHL Global Forwarding
  • Ms. AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade U.S. Customs and Border Protection

16:15

Chairperson Closing day 1.

16:30

Networking Cocktail – Exhibition Area

Sponsored

DAY 2 Thursday 17 August 2023

07:30

Attendee Day 2 Registration

Refreshments and Networking

08:50

Organizers Day 2 Opening Remarks

Dale Magaya, Chief Executive Officer, Dadem Investments Pty Ltd

09:00

Speed Networking Event

Sponsored

09:30

 

Stimulating Economic Growth by Investing in Enhanced Security of Trade Corridors

Moderator:                                                                                                                                                 

  • Mr. Leslie Mpofu, Executive Director,  Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat

Panelists:

  • Dr Christopher Onyango. Director Trade & Customs, COMESA
  • Dr Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President, Eastern and Southern Africa,  The World Bank Group
  • Mike Salawou, Acting Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, African Development Bank

10:20

Promotional AD

NUCTECH

Lanyard & Badge Sponsor                   

10:25

Morning Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing

11:00

Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for Trade and Customs: Policy and Regulatory 

Moderator:

  • Brendah R. Phiri-Mundia, Principal Regional Advisor, Regional Integration and Trade Division United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Panelists:

  • Fred Seka, Founder & Managing Director, Gorilla Logistics Ltd
  • Yamani Selana, Head of Tax and Commercial Division, Mketsu Inc
  • Mr Wale Adeniyi, PSC (+) Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service
  • Felicien Mwumvaneza , Commissioner for Customs Services,  Rwanda Revenue Authority
  • Gyang Demitta Chinwude, Director, Customs Cooperation, Trade Facilitation and Transit, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat

11:55

Corporate Presentation

Sponsored

12:15

Encouraging the Use of Single Window Trade Facilitation and Cooperation between Governmental Departments to Harmonize Trade in Africa

Moderator:

  • Marco Forgione, Director General The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT

Panelists:

  • David Ngarama, Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Trade Network Agency
  • Richard Niwenshuti,  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, and Industry Rwanda
  • Ms. AnnMarie R. Highsmith,  Executive Assistant Commissioner,  Office of Trade  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

13:00

Promotional AD  

Powered by Scan Global Logisitics 

13:05

Networking Lunch  

Exhibition Viewing

14:00

 

The role of Customs in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Moderator:

  • Flavia Busingye. Acting. Director Customs and Trade, East African Community (EAC)

Panelists:

  • Larry Liza, Director , World Customs Organization ROCB
  • Dr Christopher Onyango. Director Trade & Customs, COMESA
  • Thabo David Khasipe,  Executive Secretary,  Southern African Customs Union
  • Creck Buyonge Mirito, Chief Executive Officer/Chairman, African Customs Policy Network NPC
  • Gyang Demitta Chinwude, Director, Customs Cooperation, Trade Facilitation and Transit, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat

14:55

Corporate Presentation

Sponsored

15:15

Barriers to international trade – tariffs and trading blocs

 Moderator:

  • Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary, IGAD Secretariat

Panelists:

  • Mr. Eugene Torero,Senior Director, TradeMark Africa
  • Dr Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President, Eastern and Southern Africa,  The World Bank Group TBC
  • Silvia Sorescu, Policy Analyst / Project lead Trade facilitation Trade Policy Division Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Organization for Economic Co-operation, &  Development

16:10

Chairperson Closing day 2.

DAY 3 FRIDAY 18 AUGUST 2023

CAPACITY BUILDING AND MASTERCLASSES

07:30

Attendee Day 3 Registration

Refreshments and Networking

09:00

Promotional AD

Rwandair 

Official Airline Partner

09:05

Session 1                                                  NEW DIGITAL BORDERS

Customs and Trade as the Future Driver of eGovernment

How to successfully implement technology for the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and new information management technologies of the Customs and Trade Future for Afric

  • Is it time for Trusted Trade Lanes in Africa?
  • Will Supply Chain Security ever become a reality?
  • What is the next generation of Customs and Trade technology?
  • How can big data, cloud solutions and blockchain technology? become a useful part of our everyday business?

11:05

Morning Refreshments & Exhibition Viewing

11:35

Session 2                                                       The Academic foundation for AEO

  • The trends in the world of AEO
  • The essentials for AEO success
  • The academic foundation for AEO
  • The theory of Compliance Management
  • Future developments in the area of AEO
  • Why AEO is the future of Customs and Trade in Africa

13:35

Networking Lunch  

Exhibition Viewing

15:40

Closing Remarks

Dale Magaya, Chief Executive Officer, Dadem Investments Pty Ltd 

15:55

Africa Trade and Customs Week 2023 Official Close

Africa Trade and Customs Week 2023 Matchmaking

With 500 participants our matchmaking service will facilitate meeting introductions ahead of the Summits to ensure that you make the most of your participation. This is valid for fully registered participants only and includes real-time concierge support for meeting requests. Details available to registered participants only.