By: Aminata Sesay
The Jendema Border Crossing Point in Pujehun District is set to introduce ASYCUDA World as the National Revenue Authority (NRA) moves to modernize customs operations and facilitate cross-border trade.
The web-based system is expected to automate the processing of import, export and transit customs regimes while strengthening revenue collection, accountability and trade information management.
The development was highlighted during an engagement with sector heads, security agencies and other stakeholders at the border on October 5, as the NRA prepared for the system’s rollout.
NRA Customs Manager at Jendema, Munjiru I. I. Kallon, said the engagement was aimed at ensuring that security agencies and other stakeholders understand the new system and cooperate to support its implementation.
He said cooperation among government agencies and community leaders at the border had remained strong, adding that the NRA had recruited six local staff as part of efforts to support the host community.
The border has also recorded other developments, including plans to introduce additional commercial banks, the deployment of its first female staff member, Mrs. Kumba S. Kallon, and the provision of a new vehicle and office facility.
Giving a technical presentation, Philip Dumbuya, Supervisor at the ASYCUDA Unit within the Customs Services Department, said the system would improve customs revenue collection and generate trade data to help the Government analyze the movement and types of goods entering the country.
He said ASYCUDA is currently used in more than 90 countries and has evolved in Sierra Leone from ASYCUDA++ introduced at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in 2009 to the web-based ASYCUDA World system, which was upgraded in 2017.
According to Dumbuya, ASYCUDA World will provide faster clearance, maintain long-term audit trails, strengthen system security and enable customs processes to be monitored in real time.
The system will also use risk-based selection to identify consignments for examination, while declarations will be entered through a self-assessment process aimed at improving accuracy and reducing reliance on manual processing.
Dumbuya said implementation at border locations requires appropriate software installation, role-based training and basic equipment, including printers and scanners.
He further explained that the system connects relevant agencies through dedicated modules, automatically directing information to the appropriate agencies based on their functions. Backup energy systems at server facilities are also expected to support continuous access to the platform.
The NRA said the rollout forms part of its broader commitment to customs modernization, improved service delivery, trade facilitation and increased domestic revenue mobilization.