South Sudan has officially launched a professional training program for freight forwarders, marking an important milestone for the country as the newest member of the East African Community (EAC).
For a start, the first cohort in South Sudan includes 60 clearing and forwarding agents, who will undergo a four-month certification program. The initiative is designed to strengthen the competence of agents, improve service delivery, and ensure compliance with national and regional standards. By providing practical knowledge and regionally recognized certification, the program will contribute to faster cargo clearance, reduced trade costs, and the promotion of legitimate trade.
The launch was made possible with the support of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) through the South Sudan Institute for Revenue Administration (SSIRA), in collaboration with the South Sudan Freight Forwarders Association (SSFFA), FEAFFA’s member association in the country.
Logistics players across the region have welcomed the initiative as it ensures that uniform training standards are applied for agents throughout East Africa. In a telephone interview, FEAFFA President Mr. Charles Mwebembezi thanked SSRA for supporting the course through collaboration and partnership:
“This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to building a professional, compliant, and standards-driven freight forwarding sector in South Sudan and across the region.”
Mr. Stephen Analo, Principal of SSIRA, assured stakeholders that South Sudan has established a robust plan to enhance the competencies of customs clearing and forwarding agents, just as in other countries in the region:
“The establishment of SSIRA is a clear sign that South Sudan is committed to meeting professional development goals in the EAC region and ensuring agents operate within the minimum required competencies.”
The Certificate in Customs and Freight Logistics (CCFL), formerly known as the East African Community Freight Forwarders Professional Certification (EACFFPC), is jointly administered by the EAC Directorate of Customs, East African Revenue Authorities (EARAs), the national freight forwarding associations in each EAC partner state, and development partners. Since its launch in 2007, the program has trained over 10,000 clearing and forwarding agents across the region, standardizing professional practices and aligning the industry with regional customs procedures and international best practices.
The introduction of this program in South Sudan reflects both a national and regional step forward. It strengthens collaboration between customs authorities and the private sector, reinforces professionalism and compliance, and ensures that freight forwarders operate under harmonized regional standards.
As the freight forwarding industry continues to grow, initiatives like this training remain essential for developing a skilled workforce, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting governments in revenue collection while promoting legitimate trade.
Importantly, programs like CCFL help fill critical capacity gaps in the logistics sector, ensuring that freight forwarding professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to meet regional standards and respond to the demands of a growing trade environment.
The writer, Andrew Onionga, is the Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) secretariat and can be reached at oniongaam@gmail.com
