The Federal Government has placed significant emphasis on the upcoming high-level African Customs Conference in Abuja, asserting its critical role in stimulating national economic revival, strengthening regional competitive advantages, and unlocking crucial export avenues for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Speaking to the press at the State House, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to hosting the summit reinforces the administration’s strategic policy: to elevate trade as a primary driver for industrial expansion, national development, and poverty reduction.
A Private Sector-Driven Agenda
The conference is designed to be highly inclusive, drawing together representatives from over 30 African customs administrations (including 22 heads of agencies) alongside key private sector stakeholders: manufacturers, investors, airlines, port operators, and logistics providers. The central focus will be the systematic dismantling of cross-border trade impediments and accelerating continental economic integration.
In a marked departure from tradition, Adeniyi revealed that the opening session will be led by the private sector. This crucial shift is intended to give businesses a direct forum to articulate the practical realities and challenges—such as procedural delays, non-tariff barriers, port inefficiencies, and inconsistent AfCFTA application—to customs leadership and policymakers.
“Governments and Customs do not move goods; economic operators do,” Adeniyi asserted. “Their direct input must therefore fundamentally shape the required reforms.”
Redirecting Trade Flows and Measuring Success
Despite notable growth in export volumes (over 30% in the last two years), Nigeria predominantly channels its trade outside of the African continent. The Comptroller-General stressed the immense potential in redirecting these flows toward Africa’s expansive $3.4 trillion market, an action that could catalyze new domestic value chains, optimize logistics costs, and simplify currency transactions.
He provided examples from the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, showcasing the immediate competitiveness of Nigerian SMEs exporting processed foods, leather goods, and handicrafts to Southern Africa under the AfCFTA framework.
Adeniyi linked Nigeria’s increasing readiness for AfCFTA to wider government reforms, including comprehensive customs modernization, decongestion efforts at ports, infrastructure upgrades, and the ongoing development of a national single window system.
The hosting of the next Intra-African Trade Fair and President Tinubu’s designation as the Champion of Intra-African Trade in Services further solidifies Nigeria’s emergent leadership role in regional commerce.
The Vision: Trade Over Revenue
While acknowledging the short-term impact of tariff liberalization, Adeniyi argued that the long-term economic prosperity delivered by trade significantly outweighs any temporary dip in customs revenue.
The Abuja conference is structured around several critical objectives:
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Establishing a harmonized customs framework for AfCFTA compliance.
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Creating a unified platform for dialogue among customs, financiers, and traders.
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Strengthening ties with key institutions like Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
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Adopting clear, actionable reforms to resolve non-tariff barriers.
Adeniyi confirmed that effective AfCFTA implementation is a major performance indicator tied to his renewed mandate, requiring strong political will, technical skill, and a phased, gradual reduction of intra-African customs duties to zero. To ensure this is realized, the Concept of Partnerships for African Cooperation (CIPAC) has been established, linking Customs with key agencies like the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEXIM Bank, and the Nigerian Ports Authority for enhanced coordination.
In closing, Adeniyi urged widespread public and media support, emphasizing that the conference is a decisive moment for Nigeria to affirm its crucial position within Africa’s evolving trade architecture, ensuring Nigerians fully grasp the profound opportunities presented by open continental trade.
