CGC Adeniyi Canvasses Interoperable Customs Systems to Drive AfCFTA Trade Integration

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has identified interoperable customs systems as a critical requirement for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying harmonised digital platforms will significantly enhance trade facilitation and economic integration across the continent.

Adeniyi made the remarks in Lagos during the signing of a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Bergmans Security for the implementation of the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project. The event was held on the sidelines of the Digital Trade Forum 2026.

The Customs boss described the absence of harmonised technology among customs administrations in Africa as one of the biggest obstacles to the effective implementation of the continental free trade agreement.

According to him, although customs administrations across Africa operate at different levels of technological development, interoperability would provide a common platform capable of connecting all member states and simplifying cross-border trade.

"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.

The Comptroller-General also welcomed the appointment of Bergmans Security to execute the project, describing it as a major endorsement of Nigeria's customs modernisation efforts and digital transformation.

He noted that the selection of a Nigerian firm to spearhead the continental initiative reflects international confidence in the country's technological capabilities and ongoing reforms in customs administration.

"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 added.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, disclosed that the Secretariat adopted Nigeria's customs modernisation model after witnessing the positive impact of digital technologies on customs operations, revenue generation and efficiency.

Mene said the Nigerian model offers a practical template for building an integrated continental customs system capable of supporting seamless trade across Africa.

He expressed confidence that the partnership with Bergmans Security would help the Secretariat realise its vision of establishing a modern, interoperable customs system that would benefit businesses and economic operators throughout the continent.

"Today, as we speak, Nigeria is benefiting from the deployment of these technologies. From our point of view, the continent has a lot to gain from the model that was introduced here in Nigeria. 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 system that will ensure that all our economic operators benefit from an expanded market," Mene said.

The AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project is expected to deepen customs cooperation among member states through harmonised digital platforms, improve trade facilitation, strengthen revenue collection, reduce bottlenecks at borders and accelerate the full implementation of the AfCFTA, thereby fostering a more integrated and competitive African trading environment.