Customs CG partners with AfCFTA secretariat to enhance trade initiatives
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has expressed his commitment to partnering with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to enhance trade facilitation across the African Continent.
The CGC revealed this on Monday, 8 January 2024, during a meeting with members of AfCFTA at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Expressing concern over Africa’s low trade volume, CGC Adeniyi emphasized the need to balance trade facilitation and revenue. He highlighted that Africa’s global trade share is currently around 3–4 percent, lamenting the stagnation of the African trade system at 14–15 percent over the past three to four years.
“We are not unmindful of the benefits that trade presents — economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation because Customs trade plays a role in fostering regional and international bonds,” he stated.
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AfCFTA’s positive projections and its inception over a decade ago brought immense joy to Adeniyi, who described the Guide Trade Initiative as ‘important for the administration of countries’ in growing their trade markets.
Addressing the collaboration, Adeniyi said, “There is a need for collaboration in the verification of goods origin at the port as NCS has been designated the appropriate authority and also collaborate with other government agencies.”
His administration has implemented measures to improve trade facilitation in Nigeria, planning a time-release study in the first quarter of the year in collaboration with other government agencies.
Emphasizing the importance of data analytics, Adeniyi stated, “We must invest in data analytics, and we must bring all our officers up to speed on the basic elements or requirements for data analysis.”
Secretary-General of AfCFTA, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, congratulated Adeniyi and expressed excitement about jointly finding solutions to trade issues in Africa. Mene highlighted the significance of cooperation between AfCFTA and NCS in tackling trade impediments.
He emphasized the commitment of AfCFTA to collaborate with NCS in enhancing trade facilitation not only in Nigeria but across the African continent, foreseeing a positive impact on trade and revenue generation in various African countries.
The collaboration aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade barriers, and enhance the efficiency of cross-border trade, marking a milestone in harnessing the economic potential of the African continent through improved trade practices.