In his address, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said President Tinubu’s extension of his mandate came with clear performance targets tied directly to AfCFTA implementation.
Thank you for visiting The Vestigator, don't forget to share!
Adeniyi noted that the Nigeria Customs Service has, in the past three months, intensified collaboration with Customs administrations across Africa to ensure the institution is fully embedded in AfCFTA structures. He recalled recent engagements in Ghana with the AfCFTA Secretariat, stressing that Customs must lead enforcement of rules of origin, preferential tariffs, and trade preference regimes—key factors that determine whether AfCFTA succeeds or remains theoretical.
He warned that Africa must avoid repeating mistakes of past regional efforts, such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, which faltered because member states failed to honor their commitments.
Adeniyi said growing consensus across the continent now places Customs at the center of AfCFTA execution. He explained that his advocacy for stronger Customs involvement led to the creation of C-PACT, a framework that fosters strategic cooperation among African Customs services, private-sector operators, regulators, and international partners.
Highlighting Nigeria’s expanding trade reach, he disclosed that the country’s export volume has grown by over 30 percent in two years, with a renewed focus on expanding into African markets where impact and opportunities are greater.
The CGC also praised AfreximBank, the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, commercial banks, and other agencies for partnering with Customs to deepen trade facilitation.
He added that 30 African Customs administrations have registered for the summit, including 22 at the Director-General level, with widespread representation from all regions of the continent. For the first time, the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) is attending a Customs conference hosted by Nigeria—an endorsement of Nigeria’s growing leadership role.
Stakeholders, Ministers, and Global Partners Call for Coordinated Action
The conference opened with private-sector sessions examining persistent barriers to trade such as non-tariff restrictions, cargo delays, and inconsistent application of trade preferences.
Representing the Minister of Finance, Dr. Wale Edun, Minister of State Doris Anite said Customs reforms are vital to Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability, boosting investor confidence and lowering business costs. She highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize Customs operations and upgrade risk-management and compliance systems.
Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Jumoke Oduwole, said AfCFTA remains Africa’s most powerful economic tool but warned that outdated processes continue to limit its effectiveness. She cited ongoing reforms implemented with the Nigeria Customs Service, including tariff-concession frameworks and a dedicated air-cargo export corridor connecting Nigeria to East and Southern Africa.
WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders said Africa’s strong 2025 economic outlook will only be realized if Customs processes are efficient and harmonized. Quoting the WCO motto—“Borders divide; Customs connects”—he said C-PACT aligns perfectly with the organization’s mission of providing standards, capacity building, and technical guidance.
AfreximBank’s Executive Vice President for Intra-African Trade, Kanayo Awani, emphasized the bank’s support for Customs modernization, including transit-bond systems, digital cargo tracking tools, and the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund to help countries manage revenue losses from tariff reductions.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene stressed that Customs must lead implementation of key annexes on cooperation, transit, and trade facilitation. He praised Nigeria’s leadership and the CGC’s role as Chair of the WCO Council, saying Customs institutions are crucial for translating AfCFTA rules into real improvements at Africa’s borders—reducing costs, minimizing bureaucracy, and protecting the continent’s market space
