Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA)
Word from the President
capacity strengthening remained an equally important priority. We made efforts to improve the quality
of leadership and governance in the Federation and
its members associations with training for all leaders
on good governance and the subsequent adoption
of the FEAFFA leadership code. It is my hope that
this intervention has improved the situation in our
associations. The future of our associations is rested
on continued improvement of our governance and
strengthening the capacity of our secretariats.
With great pleasure, am honored to present the federation’s annual report for the 2014 which is also my
first as FEAFFA’s President since I was entrusted with
the mantle to lead the organization. In the last one
year, FEAFFA has continued to grow despite encountering challenges here and there. It is during this
year that the full glare of the EAC Single Customs territory came to the fore with many Customs clearing
and freight forwarding service providers remaining
anxious and apprehensive. We confronted the challenges with optimism and enthusiasm choosing to
focus more on the opportunities.
Our primary focus on promoting professionalism remained steadfast having achieved the critical mass
for the East Africa Customs Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC) training and thus making
possession of the certificate one of the requirements
for licensing customs agents by Revenue Authorities
in all EAC countries. This also marked a key milestone
towards achievement of our ultimate goal of self-regulation with the commencement of registration of
certified EACFFPC practitioners. It is in this pursuit
that the Federation has planned a regional launch of
the industry as a profession. The Federation is also
poised to establish a regional freight logistics institute, which will be a centre of excellence in training
and research for our industry.
In an effort to ensure self sustainability of the Federation and its member associations, institutional
ANNUAL REPORT 2014
During the year, recognition of the Federation continued to grow and the image of industry improved. The
Federation further solidified its relation with both
public and private sector partners. This saw collaboration with the EAC, the revenue authorities, corridors authorities, port operators cemented further.
Critical matters of concern especially those relating
to the single customs territory and capacity building
were sufficiently addressed as a result.
With the grant funding support coming to end in the
middle of the year, FEAFFA faced serious financial
constraints. The situation persisted to the end of the
year but several funding raising measures were deployed to move the Federation to financial stability.
While the Federation remained largely dependent on
development partners for resources, there was a shift
in favour of internally generated resources, with the
hope of gradually attaining self-sustainability.
Finally, I want to thank all those who have ensured
a successful year for FEAFFA. Members of the Executive Board, the Secretariat, our donors and development partners, the national associations and the
entire industry. We salute you all. ‘Let us remember
that our industry will become what we dream of it’
Merian Sebunya Mrs.
President
5