Nigeria Set to Host Landmark African Customs Conference, Aims to Boost Continental Trade
Nigeria will host a major African Customs Conference in Abuja next week, marking a significant step toward establishing the country as a leading trade hub within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
During a press briefing at the State House in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi announced that the conference has received strong support from President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which views trade as crucial for economic recovery and industrial growth.
The high-profile gathering will bring together Customs heads from over 30 African nations, with 22 countries represented at Director-General level. The conference will also welcome various stakeholders, including government officials, investors, logistics operators, airlines, shipping companies, port administrators, and manufacturers.
In a strategic move, the conference’s opening day will be private sector-led, providing businesses direct access to policymakers and customs officials. “Governments don’t trade; customs don’t trade. It is economic operators who move goods. Their voices must shape the reforms,” Adeniyi emphasized.
The Comptroller-General highlighted Nigeria’s recent trade performance, noting a more than 30 percent increase in export volumes over the past two years, though primarily to markets outside Africa. He stressed the potential of redirecting exports to Africa’s $3.4 trillion market, which could create new value chains and expand opportunities for small businesses.
Success stories from the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program demonstrate this potential, with SMEs successfully exporting various products, including leather goods and processed foods, to Southern African markets.
The conference aligns with broader national reforms, including port decongestion, Customs modernization, and infrastructure improvements. Nigeria’s selection to host the next Intra-African Trade Fair and President Tinubu’s designation as Champion of Intra-African Trade in Services further reinforces the country’s leadership role in continental trade.
While acknowledging concerns about potential revenue losses from tariff liberalization, Adeniyi maintained that long-term economic benefits outweigh short-term challenges, stating, “You cannot eat your cake and have it. Yes, we collect revenue, but trade brings far greater prosperity.”
The conference aims to achieve several key objectives, including unified Customs positions on AfCFTA implementation, solutions to non-tariff barriers, and stronger partnerships with key institutions like Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
Adeniyi concluded by emphasizing that the conference represents more than just organizational goals; it demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to continental trade integration and its readiness to capitalize on AfCFTA opportunities for economic advancement.
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