The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Coordination Committee organized a one-day workshop on October 17, 2024, at the Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, aimed at enhancing trade facilitation across the African continent.

Key NCS officers, including Area Controllers, and representatives from the AfCFTA Coordination Office gathered to discuss strategies for improving intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.

In his opening address, Segun Awolowo, National Coordinator of the AfCFTA Committee, emphasized the transformative potential of AfCFTA in Africa’s economic growth. He highlighted the agreement’s objectives to eliminate tariffs, reduce barriers to capital and labor, and foster a favorable investment climate.

“The workshop aims to underline the critical role of our trade exit points and the essential function of port Area Controllers and Customs command posts in making the seamless trade facilitation envisioned by AfCFTA a reality for Nigerian businesses and beyond,” Awolowo stated.

Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Caroline Niagwan, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to supporting AfCFTA’s implementation by simplifying trade processes and promoting regional integration.

Niagwan underscored the importance of modernizing customs operations with digital tools to enhance efficiency. “To achieve AfCFTA’s goals, we must embrace technological advancements that streamline our processes and improve performance,” she noted.

The workshop also discussed the benefits AfCFTA offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), unlocking new markets and reducing trade barriers to help them compete globally.

The event is part of Nigeria’s continued efforts to align its trade policies with the broader vision of African economic integration and development, fostering sustainable growth across the continent.