The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening intra-African trade through a renewed strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and unlocking the continent’s estimated $3.4 trillion single market.
The renewed collaboration was announced during a working visit by the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
The engagement comes as African countries intensify efforts to maximise the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, a landmark trade agreement expected to create one of the world’s largest free trade areas, connecting more than 1.4 billion people across the continent.
Discussions between both institutions focused on enhancing trade facilitation, harmonising customs procedures, strengthening regional transit systems, and removing bottlenecks that hinder the seamless movement of goods across African borders.
Speaking during the meeting, Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi said the partnership is founded on the shared conviction that Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on increased trade among African nations rather than continued reliance on external markets.
“We are building 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,” he said.
Adeniyi disclosed that the collaboration would support Afreximbank’s regional transit initiatives, accelerate the establishment of one-stop border posts along strategic trade corridors, and promote the adoption of global best practices in customs administration.
According to him, the Service is already recording tangible improvements from the Bank’s support, including enhanced coordination among customs administrations, streamlined processes, and stronger regional cooperation.
He explained that reducing border delays and administrative bottlenecks would lower the cost of trade, improve business competitiveness, and stimulate economic productivity across the continent.
“When traders spend less time at borders and face fewer administrative bottlenecks, businesses become more competitive and economies become more productive. This is ultimately what we seek to achieve through this partnership,” Adeniyi added.
He further noted that the renewed alliance would strengthen customs operations while positioning Africa to compete more effectively in global trade.
Commending the Nigeria Customs Service for its leadership in advancing regional economic integration, Dr. George Elombi praised the Service’s reform agenda and reaffirmed Afreximbank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that drive trade across Africa.
“It is encouraging to see the Comptroller-General of Customs taking the initiative to drive this engagement, demonstrating a clear commitment to transforming trade across the continent,” Elombi said.
He added that Afreximbank possesses the financial resources while the Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated the vision and determination needed to deliver meaningful reforms.
“We have the resources, and you have the will. Together, we can make this partnership work for Africa. The future of Africa lies in our ability to trade more among ourselves and build institutions that facilitate such trade,” he stated.
Elombi also reiterated the Bank’s readiness to continue supporting programmes that improve trade facilitation, strengthen regional integration, and enable African businesses, manufacturers, and exporters to fully harness the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The renewed partnership underscores the growing collaboration between financial institutions and customs administrations to remove barriers to trade, deepen economic integration, and accelerate sustainable growth across Africa.
