The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Technical Working Group (TWG) embarked on a five-day benchmarking mission with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), hosted by Huawei Technology South Africa in Johannesburg on September 19, 2024.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Nnenna Awa, the NCS AEO Lead, explained that this mission was part of the Accelerated Trade Facilitation Programme (ATFP).
Sponsored by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and UKaid, with support from SARS, the initiative aims to bolster the implementation of the AEO Programme in Nigeria.
Penny Bologo, SARS AEO Lead, emphasised the importance of collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa to enhance the AEO Programme’s effectiveness, given the two countries’ pivotal roles in global trade.
She noted, “The WCO Safe Framework of Standards, Pillar 1 (Customs-to-Customs) and Pillar 2 (Customs-to-Business), encourages partnerships between customs authorities and traders.”
Amy from Huawei Technology South Africa welcomed the NCS AEO TWG and advocated for ongoing support from both SARS and NCS in promoting global trade through improved customs compliance and greater participation in the AEO Programme.
Austin Ijeh, Customs Compliance Officer at Huawei Nigeria, expressed appreciation for NCS’s leadership in easing business operations in Nigeria and acknowledged the continued support that Huawei receives from the Service.
Assistant Comptrollers of Customs Abdulkareem Musa and Olufemi Kukoyi urged traders to uphold customs regulations, noting that the success of the AEO Programme depends largely on compliance.
They praised the Comptroller-General of Customs for advancing trade facilitation in Nigeria through the AEO initiative and other tools.
The visit provided the NCS AEO TWG with valuable insights into how SARS administers AEO benefits to Huawei Technology, which is also a pilot participant in Nigeria’s AEO Programme.
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