NCS facilitates landmark shipment to Kenya under AfCFTA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a significant milestone by facilitating Nigeria’s first export to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA). The shipment, handled by Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, marks a new chapter in Nigeria-Kenya trade relations.
During a visit to the Apapa Area Command on 30 October 2024, Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Head of Trade Enablement at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, underscored the shipment’s importance. Olutayo described it as a demonstration of the collaborative spirit envisioned by AfCFTA, stating, “I have already sent a message to the Secretariat in Ghana and communicated with Kenya’s AfCFTA implementation team. This is the spirit we are building to increase intra-African trade.”
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Olutayo praised the Customs Service’s role as the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) for AfCFTA, noting its dedication to ensuring efficient trade processes. “The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic. They are ready to facilitate trade, especially around AfCFTA, demonstrating true trade facilitation,” he added.
Assistant Comptroller Olusola Salako, the releasing officer at the Lilypond Export Command, highlighted the NCS’s adoption of cutting-edge technology in facilitating trade. He mentioned that the service has implemented a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), reflecting global trade priorities. “Today, we leverage technology and dedicated officers to ensure seamless export processes, not only under AfCFTA but also for other export procedures,” Salako remarked.
The successful shipment signals Nigeria’s growing role in intra-African trade and the Customs Service’s commitment to supporting AfCFTA’s goals through efficient and technologically advanced operations.
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