By Oluwakemi Kindness
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has called for the adoption of Nigeria Customs Service’s digital innovations across Africa to improve customs administration and boost intra-African trade.
AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, made the call during a working visit to the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja, according to Abdulahi Maiwada, Customs spokesperson.
Mene commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for developing indigenous technology capable of addressing longstanding trade and revenue challenges across the continent.
He said many African countries still rely on manual customs processes, which contribute to revenue leakages, border delays and low levels of intra-African trade.
According to Mene, Nigeria’s technology-driven reforms offer a practical African solution that can be replicated across the continent.
He said AfCFTA was ready to work with the NCS to learn from and replicate its digital innovations in other African countries.
Mene also described the NCS data centre as a strategic continental asset that could support countries that lack the resources to establish similar infrastructure.
He said the facility demonstrates Africa’s growing capacity to develop and manage critical digital infrastructure independently.
Responding, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, welcomed the recognition of the Service’s modernisation efforts.
Adeniyi said the NCS would continue to develop technology that reflects Africa’s unique trade realities while supporting the objectives of the continental free trade agreement.
He said the Service would collaborate with AfCFTA and other African customs administrations to deepen digital integration, facilitate legitimate trade and strengthen regional economic cooperation.
The Customs chief added that the commendation from the continental trade body would further reinforce the Service’s commitment to expanding its modernisation programme.
The development comes as African countries seek to reduce trade barriers, improve customs connectivity and strengthen intra-African trade under the AfCFTA framework.
