Customs reforms are no longer optional; they are essential for Africa to realise its full potential in trade, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has said.

Delivering a keynote address at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria, Adeniyi noted that the Nigeria Customs Service, working in synergy with other African customs administrations, is committed to deploying transparency, efficiency, and innovation 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, transparency, and innovation to strengthen the competitiveness of African exporters and advance continental integration,” the CGC said.

He stated 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.

Recall that the Intra-African Trade Fair, inaugurated in 2018, has grown to become the continent’s premier platform for trade, investment, and economic exchange. The 2025 edition is projected to generate $44 billion in deals, connecting thousands of exhibitors, governments, and investors.

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.