Customs, Afreximbank expand alliance to fast-track AfCFTA trade facilitation, border reforms

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with renewed focus on trade facilitation, customs modernisation and border reforms across the continent.

The renewed commitment was made during a working visit by George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, to Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja

The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to review progress on existing initiatives while identifying new areas of cooperation to promote seamless cross-border trade, strengthen customs administration and drive regional economic integration.

Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi described the partnership as one founded on a shared belief that Africa’s economic transformation depends on expanding trade among African countries.

According to him, the collaboration between the NCS and Afreximbank has already produced measurable gains in customs modernisation and trade facilitation through initiatives that seek to harmonise customs procedures and improve the movement of goods across the continent.

“We are building a partnership between the two sides, a partnership founded on a single conviction: that Africa’s best trading partners are within Africa itself, and our prosperity will be built on the trade we conduct within ourselves. From C-PACT to our ongoing work on trade facilitation, we are turning that conviction into practical cooperation,” Adeniyi said.

The Customs boss disclosed that the expanded partnership will support Afreximbank’s regional transit initiatives, accelerate the establishment of one-stop border posts along strategic trade corridors and encourage the adoption of international best practices in customs administration.

He noted that the Service was already witnessing positive outcomes from the Bank’s support for regional transit systems, expressing confidence that the strengthened collaboration would improve Africa’s competitiveness, reduce trade bottlenecks and create more opportunities for legitimate cross-border commerce.

Adeniyi said efficient border management and harmonised customs processes remain critical to unlocking the full benefits of the AfCFTA, which aims to create a single African market for goods and services.

Commending the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive leadership, Afreximbank President, described the engagement as a demonstration of the Service’s commitment to reshaping Africa’s trade landscape.

“It is nice to see the CGC taking the initiative to drive this kind of engagement, which demonstrates a clear commitment to transforming trade across the continent. We have the resources, and you have the will. Together, we can make this partnership work for Africa,” Elombi said.

He reaffirmed Afreximbank’s readiness to expand its financial and technical support for initiatives that facilitate trade, strengthen customs cooperation and enhance the implementation of the AfCFTA across member states.

The meeting also reviewed the successful collaboration between both organisations on the maiden edition of the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT), held in Abuja in November 2025.

The initiative brought together customs administrations, development partners and private sector stakeholders from across the continent to harmonise customs procedures, strengthen institutional capacity and improve connectivity among Africa’s trading systems.