From May 14-16, 2024, a transformative training session, similar to that which was implemented for francophone JAITFs in Lomé (Togo) 2023, was held at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. This event brought together CENcomm National Contact Points (NCPs) from key West and Central African Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces (JAITFs) stationed in Accra and Banjul. The focus was on enhancing their skills in data visualisation and analysis to bolster anti-fraud efforts and improve strategic decision-making.
Organised under the Airport Communication Programme (AIRCOP), the training session was designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of data visualisation tools. The WCO AIRCOP CENcomm Administrator led the sessions one on one with participants, offering hands-on experience with powerful tools like Excel and Power BI, which are essential for transforming raw data from CENcomm into insightful, actionable dashboards.
This training is part of a broader effort by the WCO and UNODC to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in combating transnational organised crime. Since the inception of the PCBT AIRCOP, JAITFs have been systematically recording their seizures in CENcomm. The 2022 launch of the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) Data Visualization Project further augmented these efforts, providing interactive dashboards for real-time data analysis. These tools have become indispensable for both strategic and operational decision-making.
As PCBT AIRCOP continues to advance, future training sessions will build upon this success, including one during the first week of June for Abuja and Lagos, ensuring that law enforcement agencies stay ahead of the curve in technological advancements and analytical capabilities. The commitment to continuous learning and adaptation is crucial for outpacing increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
The training underscored the importance of high-quality data entry in CENcomm. Participants learned best practices for implementing quality management and control systems to ensure data accuracy and reliability. As one participant highlighted, “[Data visualisation] helps officers appreciate the need to input data correctly and (…) immediately help improve the targeting process by the JAITF officers.”
By equipping law enforcement officers with advanced data visualisation skills, the initiative ensures that JAITFs can more effectively detect and combat various forms of transnational crime. The ability to create and interpret compelling dashboards not only enhances operational efficiency but also strengthens the overall security framework at international airports.
