From 5 to 7 October 2026, the World Customs Organization (WCO), under the BACUDA Project, delivered a workshop on data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Niger and Togo Customs in Lomé, Togo, with a focus on their application to risk management. The activity was funded by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) and undertaken in line with the WCO-WTO Framework Cooperation Agreement, under which the two Organizations collaborate on technical assistance and capacity-building activities in areas of common interest. It was the second part of a capacity-building programme that started on 28 September, and brought together 10 officials from both administrations.

The workshop opened with remarks from the WTO and the WCO, followed by an overview of the BACUDA Project and the WCO tools, instruments and initiatives available to Members in data analytics, including recent developments in the use of AI for Customs purposes. Niger and Togo Customs then each presented the current state of data analytics in their administrations, covering organisational set-up, skills, systems, data quality, results achieved and the main challenges they face.

The technical sessions introduced the core concepts of AI and machine learning and how they apply to Customs risk assessment and targeting, along with their prerequisites and limitations. A session on data quality and governance highlighted common errors in Customs data and the safeguards needed to manage data as an institutional asset. Practical use cases of data analytics and AI in Customs risk management were also presented, with a focus on the conditions for successful implementation.

On the final day, working in national groups, the two administrations applied the WCO AI/ML Readiness Self-Assessment Tool to assess their current readiness and identify areas for further development

The workshop gave Niger and Togo Customs an opportunity to strengthen practical knowledge, exchange experiences and explore how data analytics and AI can support more effective risk management and modern Customs operations.