Customs, Japanese cooperation partner to tighten border surveillance.

The agreement was signed November 7, in Yaounde. It was signed by Customs Director General, Edwin Nuvaga Fongod, and JICA’s Resident Representative, Kageyama Tadashi.

The signing marks Cameroon’s integration into JICA’s broader Geoint project. The programme will train customs officers in the use of geospatial intelligence, IG/Geoint, a system that combines data analytics, AI, and satellite mapping to track goods movement and detect illegal activities. 

The technology will also enhance risk analysis, identify high-risk smuggling zones, and help manage cargo flows through real-time monitoring of customs infrastructure.

“The training component under JICA’s Geoint initiative will strengthen the capacity of customs officers to combat smuggling, drug trafficking, and the illegal trade in mineral resources along Africa’s borders,” Kageyama Tadashi stated. 

On his part, Customs Director General said the new system “will reinforce the Customs Department’s role as a security force”.

“Given the fragility of Cameroon’s borders, particularly in the North West and South West Regions, this technology will help detect weapons, ammunition, and other threats while fighting corruption,” Fongod said. 

According to reports, Cameroon’s adoption of geospatial intelligence places it among the first African nations to apply advanced digital mapping tools in customs control. 

The system’s integration is expected to modernise the country’s trade and security infrastructure, aligning it with international standards of border management. 

Analysts note that the use of satellite data and drones could significantly reduce smuggling losses, which currently cost African states billions in customs revenue each year. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3623 of Thursday November 13, 2025