Uche Cecil Izuora
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, has stressed that interoperable customs systems across Africa are crucial to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.
Speaking in Lagos,at the signing of a 20-year public-private partnership agreement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Bergmans Security, Adeniyi said the lack of harmonised technology among African customs administrations remains one of the biggest obstacles to trade integration on the continent.
He explained that while African customs systems currently operate at different levels, interoperability would make it easier for countries to connect to a common platform and improve trade facilitation. He also welcomed the choice of a Nigerian company to drive the initiative, describing it as a strong recognition of Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts.
The AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, said the continental body adopted Nigeria’s customs modernisation model after seeing the gains achieved through the deployment of digital tools that improved revenue collection and operational efficiency. He said the new partnership with Bergmans Security would help build a modern, interoperable customs system across Africa.
The AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project is expected to strengthen customs cooperation, harmonise digital platforms, improve revenue collection and accelerate the full implementation of the continental trade agreement.