…says over 30 countries expected
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said it is set to host a trade summit aimed at expanding opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the NCS, disclosed this at the State House in Abuja.
Adeniyi said the summit will convene private-sector players from across the continent to assess the challenges slowing AfCFTA implementation and examine the role customs administrations can play in easing trade across African economies.
“We want to take a deep dive into their operations, understand the challenges that they are facing in trading across Africa.
“We’ve invited people from different parts of Africa so that they may come to talk to customs and the policy makers on their challenges, the frustrations they have, the continued retention of some non-tariff barriers to trade, which we also know about. And we are not shy to admit that there are some problems here and there. And it’s not just going to be a Nigerian issue,” Adeniyi stated.
He noted that although trade by African countries has improved by about 30%, most of the trade took place outside the African continent.
He disclosed that the summit starting next week, will attract about 22 Director Generals of Customs Service, while others will be represented.
“But what gives me more excitement is not about the number, but about the representation. So now we have confirmation of participation from West and Central Africa, those coming from East and South Africa, and then those that are coming from North Africa.
“We are also inviting economic operators that are involved in managing cross-border trade in Africa. So we have confirmed representation from service providers, logistic providers, airline operators, shipping companies, manufacturers, investors, corporate administrators from across Africa.
“The trade summit is also expected to attract more private sector operators.
“The Governments don’t trade. Customs don’t trade. The banks will not trade, but it is the economic operators that will trade. And they are the ones that this instrument, this instrument of free trade, are designed for.
“We are happy that they have embraced the initiative. And they are going to be with us
“This has gone beyond the KPI of the Controller General of Customs. In my conversation with the Minister of Trade and Investments, who has really supported this initiative. She has also said that this is one conference that can help her in the delivery of her mandates,” he said.
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He revealed that the summit has received the endorsements of President Bola Tinubu and members of the Federal Executive Council, who have also seen this as part of national efforts, to reposition Nigeria and to show the Nation’s readiness for Africa.
Speaking on revenue generated by the Nigeria Customs Service, the CG, said over the past two years, the agency has excelled in other mandates, apart from revenue generation.
“In the area of National security and trade facilitation, a number of tools specifically have been designed to help us facilitate trade and enhance national security,” he said.
He stated that the tools and instruments have been very impactful, as attested to by the ranking agencies, which say “that customs is the most improved agency in the ease of doing business.”
“We’ve also seen remarkable seizures of drugs, seizures of guns and ammunitions here and there. The totality of this has also translated into more revenue for us, such that in the first year we have over 70% increase in revenue. In the second year, we have 101% increase in revenue. We are already counting by what percentage we are going to surpass the one for 2025. I thank you for your attention,” he concluded.
