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To accelerate intra-African trade, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Customs(NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, have forged ties to deepen intra-African trade.
A statement by the Customs Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the strategic discussions held at the Biashara Afrika 2024 forum in Kigali, Rwanda, at the weekend.
According to him, the event provided a stronger platform for both leaders to address the barriers hindering trade across Africa and explore ways to deepen economic integration under AfCFTA.
The high-level meeting highlighted the strategic role of Customs in facilitating seamless trade across the continent. Discussions focused on unlocking opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to supporting businesses as they drive intra-African trade. The CGC and Secretary-General explored solutions to improve customs processes and remove obstacles that currently impede cross-border trade.
In his remarks, Mene commended NCS for its forward-thinking initiatives, citing the successful implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, advanced rulings, and time release studies as exemplary models.
“These programmes have set the NCS apart as a leader in customs administration across the continent,”. He further acknowledged the NCS’s role in advancing AfCFTA’s objectives.
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Adeniyi, in turn, praised the AfCFTA Secretariat for its unwavering efforts in advancing the free trade area, despite financial constraints. He also recognized the support of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the legislative arm, which enacted the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. “This Act has given us the legal framework to align with the government’s vision of positioning Nigeria as a leading trade hub in Africa, empowering SMEs and driving export growth,” Adeniyi stated.
A key highlight of the meeting was the recognition of Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, the Chief Executive Officer of LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, who became the first woman to export goods under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) of the AfCFTA.
Her laudable export from Lagos on July 16th, 2024, to countries across East, Central, and North Africa stands as a testament to the growing potential for Nigerian businesses in the continental marketplace.
The AfCFTA Secretariat committed to developing a comprehensive concept note to outline the next steps for the free trade area. Meanwhile, the NCS pledged to bring these key discussions to the Heads of Customs Administrations platform in Africa, ensuring a coordinated effort to tackle customs-related challenges and promote smoother trade flows across the continent.
Biashara Afrika, now in its second year, has emerged as a premier forum for advancing AfCFTA’s vision, bringing together key players from the public and private sectors. This year’s edition focused on navigating the evolving business landscape in Africa and creating innovative solutions to facilitate trade across borders.
