As Nigeria Champions Intra-African Trade Optimization

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,  has outlined Nigeria’s renewed commitment to deepening continental trade integration and strengthening Customs-led reforms ahead of the maiden Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference scheduled for 17–19 November 2025 in Abuja.

The CGC, who spoke under the State House “Meet the Press” platform, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval of an extension of his mandate came with clear performance targets focused on trade facilitation, port decongestion, and modernisation of Nigeria’s cross-border systems.

Adeniyi noted that the President’s policy directives reflect a deliberate shift towards using trade as a major engine of economic expansion, saying the administration is determined to reposition Nigeria as a central hub for intra-African commerce.

His words “Mr President has made it very clear that he intends to use trade to promote economic development and alleviate poverty. So I was not surprised that the implementation of the continental free trade agreement was specifically mentioned in my renewed mandate.” He said.

The Customs CG further explained that since receiving the directive, he has intensified engagements with his counterparts across Africa, including a recent strategic meeting in Ghana with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The CGC  disclosed that the NCS is pushing for greater involvement of Customs administrations in implementing the free trade regime, insisting that sustainable integration cannot happen without Customs at the centre.

He added, “For many years, regional trade arrangements struggled because Customs was not brought in early enough. I have made this point repeatedly: if we must achieve the objectives of AfCFTA, Customs must play its role in enforcing rules of origin, applying preferences, and ensuring that goods genuinely enjoy the benefits of the agreement.”

CGC Adeniyi said the forthcoming C-PACT Summit, which Nigeria will host in Abuja from 17th to 19th November, represents a major step in correcting past gaps and opening direct engagement between African Customs administrations, policymakers and private-sector operators.

He confirmed that more than 30 Customs administrations have registered for the summit, with 22 of them led by Directors-General, adding that the surge in private-sector interest is the most encouraging indicator so far.

The CGC disclosed that Nigeria will, for the first time, host the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Sanders, during the conference.

He described the development as a significant recognition of Nigeria’s increasing leadership role in continental trade diplomacy.

He also highlighted the growing momentum in Nigeria’s export performance, saying volumes have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two years, emphasising, “the current challenge is to redirect more of this trade towards African markets.”

He acknowledged strong support from the Federal, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, the AFREXIMBANK Bank, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, port authorities and other agencies involved in cross-border trade, noting that their alignment has created “a historic window” for Nigeria to take command of its role in Africa’s economic transformation.

CGC Adeniyi urged the State House Press to help raise public awareness ahead of the Abuja summit, saying the first day of the programme will feature direct conversations with private-sector operators from across Africa to uncover the persistent barriers they face in moving goods across the continent.