Malagasy customs unveils 2025-2029 strategic plan

International Customs Day (ICD) was celebrated on January 24, 2025, at Carlton Anosy. Director General Lainkana Zafivanona Ernest presented the 2025-2029 strategic plan, marking a key moment for the Malagasy customs administration.

One of the main pillars of this strategy is integrating digital technologies in goods control, thereby reducing paper use. Customs, already a pioneer in adopting artificial intelligence, aims to strengthen its role in coordinated border management. The new directions focus on several essential points: the continuous increase in customs revenues, the protection of natural resources, and improving national economic competitiveness.

Operation processing is optimized to minimize interruptions while ensuring rigorous control. The administration is also committed to enhancing the integrity and professionalism of its agents to improve its reputation among users and partner institutions. Supporting the economy in the international market is among the priorities, facilitating export control and harmonizing tax procedures nationwide. Data management is optimized to allow better decision-making. Additionally, employee training and compliance with environmental standards are strengthened.

During this celebration, 19 customs officers, along with a detector dog and merchandise, were awarded for their exemplary performances. Regarding assessment, the previous strategic plan (2019-2024) exceeded set goals, achieving an 80% completion rate against a target of 75%. Changes included reducing customs clearance time to three hours and intensifying control through digital technologies. Under the theme “A Customs That Delivers on Its Commitments to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” ICD 2025 has opened new perspectives for the Malagasy customs sector.