Abuja – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted Africa’s growing progress in trade services within the continent, noting improvements in cross-border financial and commercial activities.
Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, made the remarks on Monday during a dinner organised for participants of the Customs–Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference in Abuja.
The C-PACT is a collaborative initiative between the NCS and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aimed at repositioning African trade. Supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the initiative seeks to establish a transparent and agile customs framework that promotes lawful trade and sustainable economic growth.
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”, was officially declared open by President Bola Tinubu and will run until Wednesday.
Adeniyi noted that financial services across Africa were improving, particularly with the launch of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) by Afreximbank, which facilitates easier cross-border currency flows.
“Earlier today, we learned about the fact that our financial services are crossing borders. The entertainment industry is crossing borders. What we now need to do is to ensure that our goods, that we manufacture within our regions, can also cross borders with the same ease,” Adeniyi said.
He also urged for active engagement of customs administrations in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and emphasised the importance of cross-country trade facilitation and integration.
As President of WCO, Adeniyi expressed confidence that the conference would provide a platform for dialogue between customs administrations and private-sector stakeholders, fostering cooperation and advancing practical outcomes for continental trade integration.
Recent data underline Adeniyi’s optimism. According to Afreximbank’s 2025 African Trade Report, intra-African trade reached US$220.3 billion in 2024, up 12.4% from the previous year, while total African merchandise trade rose by 13.9% to US$1.5 trillion.
Yet, experts note that Africa still has a US$77 billion gap between current trade and its potential, indicating room for growth, especially in value-added goods.
The 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), held in Algiers earlier this year, also highlights the continent’s trade momentum, concluding with US$48.3 billion in investment deals. The fair focused on innovation, value addition, and green industrialisation — aligning with C-PACT’s goal of fostering lawful trade and sustainable growth.
In West Africa, Nigeria’s intra-African trade surged to US$18.4 billion in 2024, nearly doubling from the previous year, driven by commodities such as refined petroleum and industrial goods.
Meanwhile, PAPSS is making cross-border payments easier in local currencies, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and lowering transaction costs for businesses.
In her closing remarks at the dinner, Caroline Niagwan, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (Tariff and Trade), described the gathering as a meaningful moment of connection, emphasizing the importance of building trust and understanding to improve trade facilitation.
“We have come together not just as institutions, but as people committed to improving trade, strengthening cooperation, and ensuring that borders become gateways of opportunity rather than obstacles,” she said.
Highlights of the dinner included a musical performance by a cultural troupe from Algeria and a spoken-word presentation, providing a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to share experiences and build collaborative relationships.
