Future Freight Leaders Urged to Tackle Counterfeits and Embrace Change

The Shipping and Freight Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) has been urged to play a critical role in combating the influx of counterfeit products into the country while aligning its training programmes with evolving global supply chain demands.

This call was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Dr. T. U. Wushe, who served as Guest of Honour at the SFAAZ annual graduation ceremony held at Rainbow Towers in Harare.

Addressing industry stakeholders, graduates, and trainers, Dr. Wushe emphasised the need for shipping and freight professionals to be responsive to contemporary trade challenges, including the threat of fake and substandard imports.

“Professionals in the industry should also be alive to the challenges of counterfeit and fake products being imported into the country and critically explore how best to employ their skills and play a role in addressing this challenge so as to safeguard the health of the citizens,” he said.

Dr. Wushe also challenged SFAAZ to ensure that its training curriculum reflects the shifting dynamics of global trade, customs regulations, and supply chain technologies.

“I therefore exhort the SFAAZ Training Committee, colleges and the teaching staff to further infuse salient dynamics of the emerging trade, commerce, supply chain, [and] customs realities into the curriculum,” he said. “The international trade and supply chain landscape demands a re-examination of our training frameworks to groom professionals who are not only competent, but also versatile and agile.”

SFAAZ is Zimbabwe’s leading industry association for shipping, clearing, and forwarding agents. Beyond representing the sector, the association is known for delivering professional training that underpins integrity and innovation in Zimbabwe’s logistics ecosystem.

The graduation ceremony recognised dozens of graduates who completed freight forwarding and customs training under SFAAZ’s accredited programmes. The event celebrated their contribution to shaping a more efficient and globally competitive logistics sector in Zimbabwe.

Industry leaders attending the ceremony echoed the Permanent Secretary’s sentiments, reaffirming the need for public-private collaboration in curbing illicit trade practices and improving professional standards across the logistics value chain.

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