Economic experts say customs modernization is crucial to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, and increased intra-African trade.
The experts said on Sunday in Abuja, that AfCFTA was integrating customs modernization system by digitizing and harmonizing border processes across 54 African countries.
Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, the Director-General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, said the framework would enable goods to move across African borders faster at lower cost and with less bureaucracy.
Jideani said that instead of each country maintaining its own complex paperwork and manual checks, the goal was to create a seamless, interconnected customs system.
He said that a digitalized customs systems, harmonized documentation and risk-based inspections would reduce border delays, lower costs and improve transparency across member states.
According to him, the framework will speed up the movement of goods, eliminate administrative bottlenecks and enhance trade efficiency across the continent.
According to him, the modernization offers Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, greater access to African markets through simplified procedures, reduced paperwork and lower compliance costs.
The D-G urged governments to support Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, with capacity building, digital literacy, affordable financing and simplified trade procedures.
He said that large importers and exporters would benefit from speedy cargo clearance, predictable supply chains and lower logistics costs.
“Businesses can better plan inventory, minimize delays at ports and border crossings, and expand their regional value chains.
“Effective customs reforms will strengthen Africa’s competitiveness and attract greater investment in manufacturing, logistics and industrial development.
“Customs modernization is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic economic reform,” he said.
Jideani said that sustained collaboration among governments, customs authorities, the private sector and development partners was essential to ensure inclusive AfCFTA implementation.
He reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to advocating policies that support businesses, promote investment, encourage innovation and drive sustainable economic growth.
Dr Chinedu Amadi, the President of Organization of Youth in International Trade and Commerce, OY-ITC, an, NGO, said that AfCFTA remained Africa’s most ambitious economic integration project since independence.
Amadi said that the objective of the AfCFTA was to create a single, liberalized market for goods and services across the continent.
“The aim is to promote free movement of goods and services and enhance investment. AfCFTA offers Nigeria opportunities to diversify the economy, expand non-oil exports, create jobs and strengthen its regional economic leadership.
“The success of AfCFTA depends largely on customs modernization through faster, transparent and efficient border processes driven by digital technology,” he said.
Amadi described customs modernization as an economic necessity, adding that manual procedures, excessive paperwork and border delays undermined trade competitiveness.
He said that many Nigerian exporters still faced inconsistent customs procedures, multiple inspections and high transaction costs in spite the country’s vast non-oil export potential.
According to him, effective customs reforms will enable Nigerian businesses to access African markets faster, boosting non-oil exports and reducing dependence on petroleum revenue.
The OY-ITC president said AfCFTA sought to harmonize customs procedures through electronic declarations, digital certificates of origin, online payments and risk-based cargo inspections.
He said that the system would reduce corruption, improve revenue collection and promote legitimate trade across Africa.
He commended the Federal Government’s digital framework but called for faster implementation of the National Single Window and improved border infrastructure.
Amadi said that greater collaboration among border agencies would determine how much Nigeria benefited from AfCFTA.
He said that simplified customs procedures would enable SMEs to access regional export markets previously hindered by documentation and logistics challenges.
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According to him, farmers, manufacturers, food processors, pharmaceutical firms, technology companies and other businesses would gain wider access to African markets.
“Expanded regional trade will stimulate production, create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings and ease pressure on the naira.
“Large manufacturers will benefit from lower tariffs, predictable customs procedures and stronger continental supply chains,” he said.
Amadi urged Nigerian business owners to improve product quality, packaging, branding, certification and productivity to compete effectively with firms from other African countries.
He also called for greater investment in transport infrastructure, industrial parks, export processing zones, power supply, trade finance and export promotion, alongside training on trade rules and customs compliance.
He said that AfCFTA provides the platform, while customs modernization serves as the gateway.
Amadi, however, urged Nigeria to lead by expanding non-oil exports, strengthening manufacturing and fully embrace continental trade.
Mr. Williams Osaze, the President, Society for Promotion of People`s Right, an NGO, said that customs modernization under the AfCFTA was creating interconnected digital platforms and single windows to improve trade processes.
Osaze explained that previously, customs systems across African countries operated separately, making it difficult for them to exchange information and process trade documents efficiently.
According to him, digital integration will allow customs declarations submitted in one country to be recognized and processed in another, thereby, eliminating duplicate paperwork.
Prof. Emmanuel Adeniyi, an Economic Consultant, said AfCFTA was simplifying customs procedures for small-scale traders and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, through the Simplified Trade Regime initiative.
Adeniyi explained that the initiative aimed to reduce documentation requirements, simplify clearance procedures and provide specific lists of goods eligible for easier cross-border trade.
He added that customs modernization also involved financial integration through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, PAPSS, enabling traders to transact in local currencies.
According to him, the PAPSS objective is to integrate African economies by simplifying, securing and reducing the cost of cross-border financial transactions.
NAN
