In a landmark effort to accelerate intra-African trade, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has entered into a 20-year, $3.1 billion concession agreement with Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited. Signed in Abuja, Nigeria, by AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene and Bergmans Chairman Saleh Ahmadu, the agreement launches the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project, a sweeping initiative designed to overhaul and digitize customs administration across participating nations. By deploying advanced digital infrastructure, non-intrusive inspection technology, integrated data centers, and multilingual portals, the project aims to streamline border operations, eliminate costly delays, and significantly boost government revenue collection throughout the continent.
The initiative builds on a proven framework demonstrated by the Nigeria Customs Service, where similar technological deployments successfully reduced cargo processing times and increased transparency. With around 50 African countries already signed on, the initiative seeks to unite a market of 1.3 billion people boasting a collective GDP of $3.4 trillion, all while requiring zero direct financial investment from member states, as Bergmans will fully fund the $3.1 billion outlay. While trading under the AfCFTA officially began in January 2021, persistent non-tariff barriers such as fragmented customs protocols and inefficient border checks have long slowed its progress. By standardizing procedures and fostering real-time data sharing across borders, this long-term deal marks a decisive step toward eliminating trade bottlenecks and creating a truly integrated African economy.
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