AES Customs Chiefs Meet in Bamako to Harmonize Border Procedures and Boost Regional Trade

Edited by: Widad WAHBI

From May 15 to 16, 2025, the Directors-General of Customs from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) convened in Bamako, Mali, for a high-level meeting aimed at advancing the harmonization of customs procedures across the region. The gathering was held under the theme: “Harmonizing Customs Procedures to Facilitate and Secure Trade in the AES Zone.”

The primary objective of the meeting was to assess the progress made in implementing the recommendations adopted during previous sessions and to chart a course toward full legal and procedural integration within the AES framework.

Participants reviewed key guidelines issued during the recent meeting of Finance and Economy Ministers, also held in Bamako, particularly those concerning the unification of legal texts governing the free movement of people and goods across member states. Discussions also focused on border security challenges and the need to analyze and validate the conclusions of the expert-level meeting held earlier this month.

Moreover, the Directors-General examined preliminary drafts of unified customs texts, with the goal of establishing a solid legal foundation for streamlined procedures and enhanced inter-state coordination.

The meeting underscored the urgency of accelerating the development and implementation of shared customs frameworks. By doing so, AES aims to improve border security, ensure seamless intra-regional trade, and increase public revenue mobilization essential for sustainable development.

Participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing integration within the AES and called for reinforced cooperation among customs administrations to overcome logistical and legal hurdles in the region.