OUAGADOUGOU – Burkina Faso’s customs department has successfully mobilized over 7 billion FCFA for the Patriotic Support Fund (FSP) in the first six months of 2024, signaling a strong financial performance that exceeds previous forecasts.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the General Directorate of Customs (DGD) achieved substantial revenue generation by the end of June 2024. “At the end of June 2024, the performance of the General Directorate of Customs in terms of achievements amounted to a surplus over the forecasts, achieving an impressive completion rate and showing a progression rate of 9.10% compared to the year 2023,” the department reported.
The customs service not only contributed significantly to the FSP but also set ambitious targets for the second half of the year, with revenue collection objectives totaling approximately 590 billion FCFA. These figures require concerted efforts at all levels to meet the government’s fiscal goals.
During the first half of the year, the customs office also intensified its anti-fraud measures, achieving a notable success with a record seizure of 1,040 tonnes of spoiled rice at the Dakola customs office. The customs authority highlighted the importance of these actions in curbing the financing of terrorist activities and ensuring public health, as several other illicit products and substances, including drugs, were seized and destroyed.
The institution commended all parties involved in the revenue mobilization efforts and emphasized the need for continued diligence and tax citizenship in the latter half of the year to meet the set objectives. Looking ahead, Burkina Faso’s customs plans to implement several strategic measures to further enhance revenue collection and combat fraud. These plans include the opening of a new hydrocarbons office in Péni (Bobo-Dioulasso) in October 2024, the interconnection of scanners with the customs declaration processing system, and conducting a gender and diversity study within the Customs department.