Customs reforms key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential – Adeniyi

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi has emphasised that customs reforms and trade facilitation are critical to unlocking Africa’s economic potential

Adeniyi stated this at the ongoing fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) in Algiers.

NCS Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that IATF 2025, with the theme ‘Gateway to New Opportunities,’ is projected to generate 44 billion U.S. dollars in deals, connecting thousands of exhibitors, governments, and investors.

IATF is central to advancing African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) goals, fostering continental integration, accelerating intra-African trade, and promoting resilient value chains.

Adeniyi said the NCS was working in synergy with other African customs administrations and was committed to deploying transparency, efficiency and innovation in its operations to strengthen continental trade.

According to him, customs reforms are no longer optional but are essential for Africa to realise its full potential in trade.

“We must prioritise efficiency, transparency and innovation to strengthen the competitiveness of African exporters and advance continental integration,” he said.

He said Nigeria had begun implementing trade modernisation programmes, including the digitalisation of clearance processes, improved enforcement mechanisms, and capacity building, to facilitate a seamless trading environment.

The C-G, who is also the President of the World Customs Organisation, stressed that the reforms being implemented by NCS aligned with AfCFTA objectives.

He said the move was positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for trade facilitation and industrial growth.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of Nigeria securing the hosting rights for the next edition, IATF 2027, in recognition of its role in leading regional integration and ongoing economic reforms.

“With Nigeria hosting IATF 2027, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to showcase the impact of our reforms and demonstrate how Customs can drive sustainable economic growth.

“The NCS remains committed to creating a transparent, efficient and technology-driven system that benefits all stakeholders,” Adeniyi said.

NAN reports that the event is coordinated by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the AfCFTA Secretariat, in cooperation with the Algerian government.

The fourth edition aims to highlight innovation, green industrialisation, digital economy, creative industries, as well as youth and women in trade, in line with the goals of AfCFTA.