The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Wamkele Mene, in Kigali, Rwanda. Their discussions centered on strategies to maximize Nigeria’s benefits under the AfCFTA initiative.
In a statement released by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, Mr. Adeniyi highlighted the critical support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the legislative arm, particularly through the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. This Act has established a legal framework to facilitate initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria as the most efficient trading nation in Africa. The initiatives focus on promoting small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth and enhancing exports to boost intra-African trade.
One success story emphasized by Adeniyi was Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO of LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, who became the first woman to export goods under AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). Her exports to East, Central, and North African countries, starting on July 16, 2024, from Apapa Port in Lagos, highlight the growing opportunities for Nigerian businesses in the continental market.
Adeniyi pledged to share insights from the meeting with other African Customs Administrations to ensure a coordinated effort in tackling customs challenges across the continent.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene expressed the Secretariat’s commitment to developing a strategic roadmap for advancing the free trade area. Their discussions focused on improving trade facilitation strategies, resolving bottlenecks, and encouraging SMEs to take advantage of AfCFTA’s opportunities. Both leaders acknowledged the vital role of customs in fostering intra-African trade and driving economic growth.