Customs boss, AfCFTA Secretary General strengthen ties to boost intra-African trade (Pictures)

October 13, 2024

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Customs boss, AfCFTA Secretary General strengthen ties to boost intra-African trade (Pictures)

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, held a high-level meeting with the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, on the sidelines of the Biashara Afrika 2024 forum, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 9 to 11. The discussions focused on enhancing intra-African trade and advancing economic integration across the continent.

According to a statement by Abdullahi Maiwada, Chief Superintendent of Customs and National Public Relations Officer for the Comptroller-General, the meeting provided an opportunity to refine strategies for improving trade facilitation under the AfCFTA agreement. “Particular emphasis was placed on addressing existing bottlenecks and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to leverage the agreement’s opportunities,” Maiwada noted, highlighting the critical role of Customs in these efforts.

During the meeting, Secretary General Mene praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its progressive initiatives, such as the pilot phase of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, the implementation of Advanced Rulings, and the conduct of Time Release studies. He stated, “These initiatives have positioned the NCS as a benchmark for customs administrations across Africa,” underscoring the impact of these efforts in promoting efficiency and transparency in trade practices.

In response, Comptroller-General Adeniyi acknowledged the Secretary-General’s unwavering dedication to advancing AfCFTA’s goals, despite the Secretariat’s resource constraints. Adeniyi further expressed gratitude for the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the legislative backing provided through the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. “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, fostering SME growth and boosting exports to strengthen intra-African trade,” he said.

The meeting also highlighted the recent achievement of Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO of LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, who became the first woman to export goods under AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative to East, Central, and North African countries. Her export, which departed Apapa Port in Lagos on July 16, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the participation of Nigerian businesses in the continental market.

A key outcome of the discussions was the AfCFTA Secretariat’s commitment 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, aiming for a coordinated approach to resolving customs-related challenges across the continent.

Biashara Afrika, now in its second year, has established itself as a premier platform for African public and private sector actors to engage on AfCFTA’s effective implementation. This year’s forum concentrated on addressing evolving challenges in the business environment and seeking innovative solutions to facilitate cross-border trade.

“Biashara Afrika continues to create a space for African leaders and business stakeholders to tackle trade barriers and pursue new solutions for economic growth and integration,” Maiwada concluded, noting the forum’s growing impact on intra-African trade relations.

See pictures below: