RILO-ESA NCPs MEETING STRENGTHENS REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION TO TACKLE EMERGING CRIMINAL THREATS
By International Desk and RILO ESA
Customs administrations across East and Southern Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence led enforcement, stronger regional cooperation and enhanced information sharing following the conclusion of the 23rd Annual Administrative Meeting of National Contact Points (NCPs) of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for East and Southern Africa (RILO-ESA).
Held from 25–27 August 2026 at the Integrated Customs Clearance Centre (ICCC) in Plaine Magnien, Mauritius, the three day meeting brought together National Contact Points, Customs administrations, WCO representatives, RILO-ESA and partner organisations under the theme “Collaboration & Intelligence Led Vigilance: Our Commitment to a Safer Society.”
The meeting opened with a strong call for enhanced regional collaboration in addressing increasingly sophisticated transnational criminal threats.
The Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Mr Anandsing Acharuz, who was Guest of Honour, highlighted the increasingly sophisticated nature of organised criminal networks and their exploitation of modern technology and legislative gaps.
He underscored the importance of the RILO-ESA network in strengthening intelligence collection, facilitating effective information exchange and supporting Customs administrations in protecting revenue and national security.
The Director General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), Mr Rohit Ramnawaz, welcomed delegates and noted that Mauritius was hosting the RILO ESA meeting for the third time. He commended RILO ESA for its leadership in conducting regional risk assessments, identifying emerging smuggling trends and modus operandi, and disseminating vital intelligence across the East and Southern Africa region.
Mr Ramnawaz reaffirmed Mauritius’ commitment to supporting RILO ESA and stressed that border protection is a collective responsibility. He further emphasised that the changing nature of criminal threats requires Customs administrations to remain proactive, agile, vigilant and resilient, supported by strong national, regional and international cooperation.
Opening the meeting, Head of RILO-ESA, Mr Sitheni M. Ncube, emphasised the importance of sustained regional cooperation, Customs modernisation and intelligence led enforcement in confronting increasingly sophisticated transnational threats.
He highlighted the critical role of National Contact Points in facilitating timely intelligence exchange and strengthening the connection between national Customs administrations and the regional RILO ESA intelligence network.
Representing the World Customs Organization, Deputy Director of Enforcement Mr Adrian Swarres reiterated the importance of strengthening regional intelligence cooperation to address emerging threats to Customs and border security. He also noted that the meeting provided an important opportunity for Customs administrations to exchange experiences and best practices.
The meeting provided a platform for delegates to examine regional enforcement priorities, emerging threats and mechanisms for strengthening intelligence sharing.
Discussions highlighted the growing sophistication of organised criminal networks, including their increasing use of technology, international trade routes and interconnected supply chains.
The regional threat picture identified several priority areas, including drug trafficking through maritime, air cargo and parcel channels, tobacco smuggling, counterfeit goods, customs fraud, illicit financial flows, trade-based money laundering, wildlife and environmental crime.
Delegates stressed the need for Customs administrations to strengthen risk profiling, intelligence analysis and targeting capabilities.
Emerging challenges such as e-commerce related offences, trade based money laundering, illicit financial flows, artificial intelligence enabled criminal activity and the growing use of courier and express parcel systems further reinforced the need for technology enabled controls and advanced analytics.
A key focus of the meeting was the role of National Contact Points as critical links between national Customs administrations and the wider RILO-ESA intelligence network.
Participants called for faster dissemination of intelligence, improved feedback mechanisms and greater use of RILO-ESA communication channels, including the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), CENComm3 and bilateral Customs to Customs cooperation.
Delegates also identified Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance (CMAA) as an important but underutilised mechanism for information exchange, verification of trade transactions, revenue protection and investigation of Customs offences.
The meeting therefore called for increased awareness and practical utilisation of CMAA instruments across the region.
The importance of intelligence sharing was further demonstrated through successful cooperation between Customs administrations.
As part of the regional engagement, NCPs also visited the Mauritius Revenue Authority K9 Facility, gaining insights into K9 operations, enforcement capabilities and the use of specialised detection resources in combating illicit trade and strengthening Customs enforcement.
The 23rd RILO-ESA meeting therefore closed with a renewed commitment by Customs administrations and their partners to collaboration, intelligence sharing and intelligence led vigilance in protecting borders, safeguarding societies and supporting legitimate trade and economic activity across East and Southern Africa.
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