‘Africa Can’t Build AfCFTA On Weak Border Systems’, Says Customs Boss Adeniyi

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has stated that Africa’s ambition to unlock a single continental market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will remain unattainable unless governments urgently strengthen border management systems and integrate trade infrastructure across the region.

Speaking at the launch of the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, Adeniyi described efficient customs systems as the “missing link” in Africa’s integration drive.

According to him, the continent cannot grow intra-African trade or attract investment into regional value chains if outdated processes, data gaps and border bottlenecks continue to slow the movement of goods.

“AfCFTA is a powerful idea, but powerful ideas require strong institutions. Weak borders, fragmented procedures and poor coordination will keep Africa trading on paper instead of in reality,” he said.

Adeniyi argued that customs administrations hold the wealthiest and most granular trade data on the continent—information that can shape policy decisions, guide infrastructure investments and strengthen supply chains.

He warned that fragmented data systems across African borders are undermining efforts to build competitive manufacturing hubs and predictable trade corridors.

According to him, the C-PACT platform was conceived after separate engagements in Kigali and Cairo revealed that effective AfCFTA implementation requires customs to move from “back-end operations” to the “centre of trade planning”.

Adeniyi said the participation of CEOs and bankers at the event signals a growing belief that Africa is finally aligning its policies with operational reforms that can unlock large-scale trade and investment flows.

“Banks don’t send teams to customs conferences unless they see trade finance opportunities,” he noted, stressing that the presence of the private sector demonstrated confidence in ongoing reforms.

The CG disclosed that Nigeria’s trade with other African countries grew to ₦4.82 trillion in the first half of 2025, up by more than ₦600 billion from the previous year.

He attributed the momentum to President Bola Tinubu’s push for trade reforms, logistics modernisation and stronger alignment with AfCFTA frameworks.

Adeniyi said the success of AfCFTA depends on Africa’s ability to integrate customs systems, harmonise regulations, and modernise border infrastructure to support faster, cheaper and more predictable cross-border trade.

He added that C-PACT aims to give investors the confidence that Africa is building the institutional backbone required for stable long-term trade.

“This is not another talk shop. This is operational work,” he said. “If we fix borders, integrate our systems and deepen cooperation, AfCFTA will become the most transformative economic project on the continent.”