Nigeria Customs Service, AfCFTA Secretariat Collaborate To Boost Intra-African Trade

Nigeria Customs Service, AfCFTA Secretariat Collaborate To Boost Intra-African Trade

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, held a pivotal meeting during the Biashara Afrika 2024 forum, which took place from October 9th to 11th.
This high-level engagement aimed to enhance intra-African trade and deepen economic integration across the continent.

The discussions focused on refining strategies to improve trade facilitation under the AfCFTA agreement. Key topics included addressing existing bottlenecks and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to leverage the opportunities provided by the agreement. The role of Customs in these efforts was particularly emphasized.

Secretary-General Mene commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its progressive initiatives, such as the pilot phase of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, the implementation of Advanced Rulings, and the conduct of Time Release studies. He noted that these initiatives have positioned the NCS as a benchmark for customs administrations across Africa.

In response, Comptroller-General Adeniyi praised the Secretary-General for his dedication to advancing the AfCFTA’s goals despite resource constraints.

He also acknowledged the support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the legislative arm through the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Adeniyi highlighted that the Act has been instrumental in providing the necessary legal framework for implementing initiatives that align with the government’s vision of making Nigeria the most efficient trading nation on the continent.

A notable highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO of LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, who became the first woman to export goods under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) of the AfCFTA to East, Central, and North African countries.
Her achievement, marked by the export of goods on July 16th, 2024, from Apapa Port in Lagos, underscores the growing opportunities for Nigerian businesses in the continental market.

The AfCFTA Secretariat committed to developing a concept note outlining the way forward for the free trade area. In turn, the NCS pledged to bring these discussions to the Heads of Customs Administrations platform in Africa, ensuring a coordinated approach to addressing customs-related challenges across the continent.

Biashara Afrika, now in its second edition, continues to serve as a vital platform for public and private sector stakeholders to collaborate on overcoming challenges and unlocking the potential of the African market under the AfCFTA.
Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs, National Public Relations Officer ,NCS,made this known in a press statement