NCS, AFCFTA Coordination Committee Holds Workshop to Boost Intra-African Trade.

By Joe Njoku,
Global Freight News.

The Nigeria Customs Service in an effort to enhance trade facilitation across the African continent has collaborated with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Coordination Committee, held a one day workshop at the Bolton White Hotel, Abuja.

The event brought together key officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, including Area Controllers and representatives from the AFCFTA Coordination office, to discuss strategies for improving trade across Africa.

In his opening remarks, Seguin Awolowo, National Coordinator of the AFCFTA Committee, highlighted the huge potential of AFCFTA in transforming Africa’s economic landscape. He emphasised the amendment’s role in eliminating tariffs on most goods and services, reducing barriers to capital and Labour, and creating a more favourable environment for investment across the continent.

“The objective of the workshop, highlighted the crucial role played by our trade exit point, the vital function of our port Area Controllers, and the importance of Customs Command posts under the AFCFTA framework,” Awolowo said.

“These elements are pivotal in ensuring that the seamless facilitation of trade, as envisaged by the AFCFTA, becomes a practical reality for businesses in Nigeria and across Africa.”

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs at the event was the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariff and Trade Department, Caroline Niagwan, reiterated the Service commitment to fully support the implementation of AFCFTA through measures that simplify trade processes and promote regional integration.

According to her, “It is our responsibility to ensure that we deploy efficient measures that simplify the implementation of AFCFTA,” she said. “This includes the digitisation and harmonisation of Customs procedures to facilitate the smooth flow of goods and services across African borders.”

She further stressed the need for the Service to modernise its operations by leveraging digital tools that streamline trade processes and improve overall performance. “To achieve the objectives of AFCFTA, we must embrace technological advancements that enable us to carry out our mandate efficiently,” she added.

The workshop also addressed the important opportunities AFCFTA present for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The agreement is expected to position African SMEs to compete more effectively on the global stage by unlocking New markets and removing trade barriers.

The collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and AFCFTA Coordination Committee are considered essential in ensuring that the continent fully benefits from integrated trade, ultimately fostering sustainable economic growth across Africa.

The workshop marks another step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to align its trade policies with the border vision of African economic integration and development.