The Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has announced plans to host a roundtable of African heads of customs administrations in Abuja. The initiative, he said, is being organised in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Afreximbank, and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Adeniyi said the meeting would focus on creating practical solutions, aligning continental initiatives, and leveraging WCO tools to enhance trade facilitation across Africa. He stressed the importance of harnessing Africa’s youthful population and empowering women exporters, noting that fragmentation has slowed progress on positioning African exports globally.
The Customs boss added that Nigeria is working to simplify port processes, reduce the cost of doing business, and boost exports. He highlighted ongoing reforms, including the introduction of a dedicated export terminal, the national single window project set to launch in 2026, and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which already benefits several Nigerian companies.
On Nigeria’s hosting of the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Lagos, Adeniyi said customs would play a key role but emphasised that the event requires a whole-of-society approach, involving immigration, security, transport, hotels, and Lagos State government. He described the fair as “a huge opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its economic competitiveness.”
Meanwhile, Dangote Group’s exhibition stand was one of the most visited at the ongoing IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria. Delegations led by the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell; Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew; Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, commended Dangote’s investments for their socio-economic impact across Africa.
As a Premier Partner of the fair, Dangote Group is showcasing products spanning cement, fertilisers, petrochemicals, refined petroleum, sugar, salt, and logistics. The company operates over 18 subsidiaries across Africa and will host its “Dangote Special Day” on Saturday.
Organised by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union Commission and AfCFTA Secretariat, and hosted by Algeria, the IATF2025 has attracted over 2,000 exhibitors and is expected to generate more than $44 billion in trade and investment deals.
