CGC Adeniyi Advocates Interoperable Customs Systems to Accelerate AfCFTA Implementation
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has underscored the importance of interoperable customs systems across Africa, describing them as indispensable to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Customs Modernisation Project and the realisation of seamless intra-African trade.
Adeniyi made the remarks on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in Lagos during the signing of a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Bergmans Security to commence the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Digital Trade Forum 2026.
The Customs boss noted that the inability of customs administrations across the continent to operate on harmonised digital platforms has remained one of the biggest challenges confronting the implementation of the landmark continental trade agreement.
According to him, while not all customs administrations possess the same level of technological advancement, achieving interoperability would enable them to connect seamlessly through a unified system, thereby simplifying customs procedures and promoting efficient trade facilitation.
“We are indeed delighted because one of the major obstacles that we have faced in this journey of implementation of AfCFTA is the interoperability of our systems. All the Customs administrations cannot operate at the same level, but when we have interoperability, it becomes easier for us all to hook up to one system and get trade facilitation done,” Adeniyi said.
He stressed that digital integration among African customs authorities would not only facilitate the movement of goods across borders but also improve transparency, efficiency and cooperation among member states, thereby strengthening the objectives of the AfCFTA.
Adeniyi also welcomed the appointment of Bergmans Security to spearhead the continental initiative, describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria and a testament to the country’s achievements in customs digitalisation.
He expressed satisfaction that a Nigerian company had been entrusted with extending its expertise beyond national borders to support customs modernisation across Africa.
“We are delighted that it is a Nigerian company that has been given this platform to extend what they have been doing to the rest of Africa and for us to achieve trade facilitation and the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he stated.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, explained that the Secretariat adopted Nigeria’s customs modernisation model after witnessing the country’s remarkable success in deploying digital technologies that have significantly improved revenue generation and operational efficiency.
Mene said Nigeria’s experience had demonstrated the transformative impact of technology on customs administration, making it an ideal model for replication across the continent.
“Today, as we speak, Nigeria is benefiting from the deployment of these technologies. And from our point of view, the continent has a lot to gain from the model that was introduced here in Nigeria. So that’s why we signed the MOU today. We believe that the partnership with Bergmans Security will enable us to reach our objective of creating a continental, modern, interoperable Customs systems that will ensure that all our economic operators benefit from expanded market,” Mene said.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would lay the foundation for a modern customs ecosystem capable of supporting Africa’s growing trade ambitions while creating a more integrated and competitive continental market.
The AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project is designed to strengthen customs cooperation among African member states through harmonised digital platforms that enable seamless information exchange and coordinated border management.
The initiative is also expected to enhance trade facilitation, improve revenue collection, reduce bottlenecks at border posts and accelerate the full implementation of the AfCFTA by creating a more efficient, secure and interconnected customs environment across the continent.
The project represents a major step towards Africa’s vision of establishing a single market for goods and services, with customs modernisation regarded as a key pillar for unlocking the full economic potential of the continent and boosting intra-African trade.
