C-PACT Summit to Boost African Trade and Accelerate Growth — Customs CG
Nigeria is positioning itself at the centre of Africa’s trade renaissance as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) prepares to host the maiden Customs–Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference in Abuja—a landmark event expected to accelerate economic growth, unlock new trade corridors, and strengthen integration under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, speaking ahead of the conference, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s bold directive to use trade as a powerful instrument for economic transformation, job creation, industrial expansion, and poverty reduction.
The three-day meeting, conceived with Afreximbank and supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), convenes more than 30 African customs administrations, including several Director-General delegations, alongside a massive private-sector bloc—manufacturers, logistics operators, shipping lines, airlines, exporters, and trade-tech firms.
Driving Africa’s New Trade Order
At the heart of C-PACT is a simple but crucial truth: Africa cannot prosper without seamless intra-continental trade. Adeniyi emphasised that Nigeria’s economic strategy is being redesigned to place trade at the centre of national competitiveness.
Key focus areas include:
- Decongesting Nigerian seaports to restore supply-chain efficiency
- Modernising port infrastructure to global standards
- Deploying a National Single Window for integrated, end-to-end digital trade
- Fully activating Nigeria’s commitments under AfCFTA
- Enhancing rules of origin enforcement and duty elimination across African markets
“These are all elements that speak to one major issue—Nigeria must give more attention to intra-African trade,” Adeniyi said.
Customs as the Engine Room of AfCFTA Implementation
Adeniyi noted that AfCFTA execution forms a core component of his presidential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
To this end, the NCS has strengthened coordination with:
- The AfCFTA Secretariat
- Regional customs administrations
- African trade bodies
- Export-driven agencies such as NEPC and NEXIM Bank
Just last week, Adeniyi met with the AfCFTA Secretary-General in Ghana, signalling Nigeria’s readiness to take its place as Africa’s leading trade hub.
From enforcing rules of origin to implementing duty phase-outs, customs sits at the centre of AfCFTA’s success—and Nigeria is making its move.
A Private-Sector First Approach
The conference will open with a high-level private-sector session addressing:
- Non-tariff barriers
- Border delays
- Documentation bottlenecks
- Logistics challenges
- Export readiness
- Supply-chain digitalisation
Manufacturers, exporters, freight forwarders, maritime operators, and airlines are expected to set the tone for a new operational blueprint to increase Africa’s trade flows.
Port Modernisation and National Security Gains
While revenue collection remains a statutory mandate, Adeniyi highlighted the evolution of the Customs Service into a trade facilitation and national security powerhouse.
With modern scanning technologies and digital intelligence tools, the NCS has intercepted significant volumes of:
- Illicit drugs
- Arms and ammunition
- Contraband goods
- Under-declared cargo
These reforms contributed to an extraordinary 70% revenue growth in 2023 and an even more impressive 101% revenue rise in 2024—demonstrating the value of technology-led customs administration.
BRANDECONOMY ANALYSIS: Nigeria’s Maritime & Trade Ambition Just Became Continental
The C-PACT initiative is more than a conference—
it is a continental reset, positioning Nigeria as:
- The intellectual capital of African customs cooperation
- A logistics hub for West and Central Africa
- A driving force behind AfCFTA implementation
- A leader in Blue Economy integration
- A continental gateway for lawful trade expansion
By hosting the maiden edition, Nigeria sends a loud signal:
the era of fragmented African trade is over—collaborative, technology-enabled, transparent commerce is the new mandate.
For businesses across manufacturing, maritime logistics, agriculture, exports, aviation, technology, and supply-chain financing, C-PACT presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Africa’s next trade frontier.
