The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has said that efficient customs administration is critical to unlocking Africa’s economic potential and improving the competitiveness of its exports.
Adeniyi stated this in Algiers, Algeria last Friday, while delivering a keynote address at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), noting that Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with other African customs administrations, is committed to improving efficiency to strengthen continental trade.
“Customs reforms are no longer optional; they are essential for Africa to realise its full potential in trade. We must prioritise efficiency and innovation to strengthen the competitiveness of African exports and advance continental integration,” the CGC said.
He highlighted that, through the Customs Service, Nigeria has already embarked on wide-ranging modernisation programmes, including digitalising clearance processes, improved enforcement mechanisms, and capacity building, to create a seamless trading environment.
CGC Adeniyi stressed that the reforms being implemented by Customs align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives and would position Nigeria as a regional hub for trade facilitation and industrial growth.
Nigeria secured the hosting rights for the next edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2027), a development widely applauded as recognition of the country’s leadership in regional integration and ongoing economic reforms.
“With Nigeria hosting IATF2027, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to showcase the impact of our reforms and demonstrate how Customs can drive sustainable economic growth.
The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to creating a transparent, efficient, and technology-driven system that benefits all stakeholders,” the CGC stated.
Intra-African Trade Fair, inaugurated in 2018, has grown to become the continent’s premier platform for trade, investment, and economic exchanges. The 2025 edition is projected to generate $44 billion in deals, connecting thousands of exhibitors, governments, and investors.
