The Office of the Federal Auditor General, Ethiopia (OFAG) has flagged significant operational shortcomings at Ethiopian Customs Commission, urging swift corrective action following a performance audit of the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The audit highlighted weaknesses in tariff classification, verification of country of origin, technology integration, and institutional coordination, emphasizing the need for stronger compliance, modernized procedures, and enhanced oversight to safeguard public revenues.
Federal Auditor General H.E. Mrs. Meseret Damtie Chaniyalew stressed that customs operations must continuously adapt to global and domestic changes, calling for regular updates to customs laws, directives and procedures, alongside adequate transition periods for stakeholders.
She raised concerns over the growing practice of writing off uncollected revenues due to delayed enforcement and underscored the need for stronger technology use, institutional synergy and effective training programs.
Meseret also warned of weak oversight of duty-free privileges, urging tighter monitoring, stronger verification of certificates of origin and enhanced coordination to curb smuggling and illicit financial flows.
The parliamentary standing committee concluded by calling for immediate corrective action to safeguard public resources.
