POLITICAL Economy

Customs Partners With Afreximbank to Improve Intra-African Trade

by admin on | 2026-07-08 11:33:58

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 7

---

Customs Partners With Afreximbank to Improve Intra-African Trade

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja 

In an effort to enhance intra-African trade, the Nigeria Customs Service and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration aimed at promoting trade facilitation, improving customs cooperation, and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The renewed commitment was made during a working visit by the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr George Elombi, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.

During the meeting, both institutions used the opportunity to review ongoing collaboration, assess progress on key initiatives and explore additional areas of partnership to support regional trade integration and economic growth, across Africa.

Speaking during the meeting, the Comptroller-General of Customs described the partnership as a strategic alliance that aligns with the federal government’s commitment to expanding intra-African trade and improving efficiency of cross-border commerce.

“We are building a partnership founded on one conviction: that Africa’s best trading partners are within Africa itself, and our prosperity will be built on the trade we conduct among ourselves. From C-PACT to our ongoing work on trade facilitation, we are turning that conviction into practical cooperation,” Adeniyi said.

He affirmed that the collaboration would continue to support customs modernisation, trade facilitation and the harmonisation of customs procedures, thereby promoting the seamless movement of goods across African borders.

“The partnership is expected to strengthen regional transit systems, support the establishment of one-stop border posts along major trade corridors and encourage the adoption of international best practices in customs administration,” he opined.

Adeniyi said that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to working with Afreximbank and other regional institutions to build an efficient customs system capable of supporting Africa’s growing trade ambitions.

The Comptroller-General reaffirmed the Service’s determination to implement initiatives that would enhance border efficiency, improve compliance and create a more predictable trading environment for businesses operating within the continent.

The meeting also reviewed the progress recorded under the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT), launched in Abuja in 2025, to promote cooperation among African customs administrations, development partners and the private sector through capacity building, policy dialogue and harmonisation of customs procedures.