The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. This collaboration aims to bolster trade facilitation across the African continent.
During a meeting held on Monday, 8 January 2024, at the Customs Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, CGC Adeniyi expressed his eagerness to team up with AfCFTA to revitalize trade mechanisms in Africa. Highlighting Africa’s marginal 3–4 percent share in global trade, he emphasized the need to elevate the African trade system, which has stagnated at 14–15 percent for the past few years.
“We are cognizant of the advantages that trade offers—economic growth, job creation, and poverty alleviation,” said CGC Adeniyi, underlining Customs’ pivotal role in fostering regional and international connections.
Addressing the pivotal partnership, His Excellency Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of AfCFTA, praised the CGC’s commitment and expressed enthusiasm for resolving trade challenges. Emphasizing collaboration to enhance trade not only in Nigeria but across Africa, Mene outlined the strategic significance of effective trade facilitation in propelling regional economic growth.
The synergy between AfCFTA and the Nigeria Customs Service aims to streamline customs procedures, diminish trade barriers, and optimize cross-border trade efficiency. This collaboration signifies a crucial stride toward harnessing Africa’s economic potential and fostering intra-African trade and economic integration.
The Secretary-General’s visit stands as a significant milestone in the concerted efforts to bolster the economic landscape of the African continent through improved trade practices.
