The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has underscored the importance of customs reforms and trade facilitation in driving Africa’s economic growth.
He made this known during the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), currently taking place in Algiers. The event, themed “Gateway to New Opportunities,” is projected to generate deals worth 44 billion U.S. dollars while bringing together thousands of exhibitors, investors, and government representatives.
In a statement issued by Customs Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, Adeniyi explained that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is working closely with other African customs administrations to promote efficiency, transparency, and innovation in trade operations.
“Customs reforms are no longer optional but necessary for Africa to realise its full trade potential. We must prioritise efficiency, transparency, and innovation to strengthen the competitiveness of African exporters and advance continental integration,” Adeniyi said.
He further noted that Nigeria has begun implementing trade modernisation initiatives, including the digitalisation of clearance processes, enhanced enforcement systems, and capacity-building programmes, all designed to create a seamless trading environment.
Adeniyi, who also serves as President of the World Customs Organization, stressed that the reforms undertaken by the NCS align with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). According to him, these efforts are positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for trade facilitation and industrial development.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement that Nigeria will host the next edition, IATF 2027, in recognition of its leadership in regional integration and ongoing economic reforms.
“With Nigeria hosting IATF 2027, 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 NCS remains committed to building a transparent, efficient, and technology-driven system that benefits all stakeholders,” Adeniyi said.
IATF 2025 is jointly coordinated by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the AfCFTA Secretariat, in collaboration with the Algerian government. This year’s edition places emphasis on innovation, green industrialisation, the digital economy, creative industries, as well as the inclusion of youth and women in trade—key drivers of AfCFTA’s goals.