Members of the Rwanda Warehouse and Freight Forwarders Association (RWAFFA), also known as customs declarants, are calling for ongoing training on new laws and regulations governing imports and exports. These agents assist with declaring and paying taxes, duties, and handling the movement of goods across borders. They say regular training will help them improve their work and maintain high professional standards.
The requested training would focus on improving operational efficiency, strengthening professionalism in cross-border goods management, enhancing collaboration with customs authorities, and promoting fast and reliable services to keep Rwanda competitive in the region.
The need for continuous training was highlighted following the election of a new governing committee of RWAFFA on November 7, 2025. Jean de Dieu Songa, a declarant, emphasized the importance of staying updated with changing regulations. He said that regular training on national and regional laws is essential to avoid mistakes and maintain professionalism.
David Rwigema, re-elected as RWAFFA’s Executive Director for another three-year term, said one of the priorities of the new leadership is to increase knowledge among members and maintain good communication with customs authorities to ensure cooperation, higher tax compliance, and better business development.
Dieudonné Irizabimbuto, Head of Legal Affairs at the Rwanda Revenue Authority’s Customs Department, highlighted the critical role declarants and freight forwarders play in ensuring efficient tax and duty collection. He pledged continued training to strengthen their skills and knowledge.
The Private Sector Federation (PSF) also encouraged the new leadership to engage members and stakeholders actively to implement their plans and contribute to sustainable national development.
RWAFFA consists of 251 companies involved in customs declarations and international freight forwarding. Over the past three years, the previous leadership successfully trained more than 150 members, and the new leadership aims to provide continuous training for all members in the future.
