The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called for urgent and sustained customs reforms across Africa, describing them as “non-negotiable” for unlocking the continent’s economic potential and boosting global competitiveness.
Speaking during a keynote address at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Adeniyi said Nigeria is leading efforts to modernise customs procedures, increase efficiency, and promote trade facilitation in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Customs reforms are no longer optional; they are essential for Africa to realise its full potential in trade,” Adeniyi said. “We must prioritise efficiency, transparency, and innovation to strengthen the competitiveness of African exporters and advance continental integration.”
He added that Nigeria, through the Customs Service, has already embarked on a sweeping transformation agenda, which includes digitalising clearance processes, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and investing in capacity building to create a seamless, technology-driven trading environment.
Adeniyi’s remarks come as Africa continues to push for deeper economic integration through AfCFTA, which aims to create the world’s largest single market and improve intra-African trade. The IATF, inaugurated in 2018, has since become a key platform for advancing this vision, with the 2025 edition expected to generate an estimated $44 billion in trade and investment deals.
Adeniyi also emphasised that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms are designed not only to improve local customs operations but also to position the country as a regional hub for trade and industrial growth.
In a major development, it was announced during the event that Nigeria will host the next edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027 (IATF2027). The decision was widely welcomed as a recognition of the country’s role in promoting regional economic integration and its commitment to reform.
“With Nigeria hosting IATF2027, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to showcase the impact of our reforms,” Adeniyi said. “The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to building a transparent, efficient, and innovation-driven system that supports sustainable economic growth and benefits all stakeholders.”
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