Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is accelerating efforts to strengthen intra-African trade ahead of the maiden Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference, scheduled for 17–19 November 2025 in Abuja. Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to trade facilitation, port decongestion, and modernization of cross-border systems.
Trade as an Engine for Economic Growth
Comptroller Adeniyi explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extension of his mandate included clear performance targets emphasizing trade as a driver of economic expansion. “The administration is determined to reposition Nigeria as a central hub for continental commerce,” he said. He added that implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a top priority for his renewed mandate.
Customs at the Center of AfCFTA Implementation
Adeniyi stressed that sustainable integration requires Customs to play a central role. Historically, regional trade arrangements struggled because Customs was not engaged early enough. He emphasized that NCS will enforce rules of origin, apply trade preferences, and ensure goods genuinely benefit from the agreement.
C-PACT Summit: Engaging African Stakeholders
The upcoming C-PACT Summit will bring together African Customs administrations, policymakers, and private-sector operators. Over 30 Customs administrations have registered, including 22 led by Directors-General. The event will also host the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Sanders, marking a recognition of Nigeria’s growing leadership in continental trade diplomacy.
Boosting Nigeria’s Export Performance
Nigeria has seen export volumes rise by more than 30% in the past two years. Comptroller Adeniyi emphasized the need to redirect more trade towards African markets. He noted strong alignment among the Federal Government, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, AfreximBank, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and port authorities. This coordination provides a “historic window” for Nigeria to strengthen its role in Africa’s economic transformation.
Private Sector Engagement and Awareness
The first day of the C-PACT summit will feature direct dialogues with private-sector operators across Africa. These conversations aim to uncover persistent barriers in moving goods across the continent and to promote solutions that streamline cross-border trade. Adeniyi urged media support to raise public awareness ahead of the conference, highlighting the importance of inclusive participation in shaping Africa’s trade future.
