Source: Daily Trust
In an effort to bolster intra-African trade and enhance economic integration, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi engaged in discussions with Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Biashara Afrika 2024 forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
The talks centered on improving trade facilitation under the AfCFTA framework, with a focus on removing barriers and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to maximize the benefits offered by the trade area. Customs is instrumental in these efforts, and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) received recognition for its forward-thinking initiatives.
AfCFTA’s Secretary-General lauded the NCS for its leadership in implementing key programs such as the pilot phase of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) initiative, Advanced Rulings, and Time Release studies. He emphasized that these initiatives position the NCS as a model for other customs administrations across Africa.
CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude for the support from Nigeria’s government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the legislative body, through the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. “The Act has set the stage for enhancing Nigeria’s trade efficiency and SME development, in line with our mission to boost exports and promote intra-African trade,” Adeniyi noted.
A notable moment in the meeting was the recognition of Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO of LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, as the first woman to export goods under AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). Her successful export from Apapa Port, Lagos, to East, Central, and North African nations in July 2024 highlights the opportunities for Nigerian businesses within the African market.
Looking ahead, the AfCFTA Secretariat pledged to draft a concept note to shape the future of the free trade area, while the NCS committed to presenting these discussions to the Heads of Customs Administrations platform, ensuring a unified approach to customs challenges across the continent.
This meeting represents a crucial advancement in Africa’s economic integration, with Nigerian SMEs poised to thrive in the expanding continental market.
