President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African nations to dismantle inefficient borders and modernise Customs systems to unlock the continent’s economic potential.
Speaking at the inaugural Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Summit in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—stressed the need to move from fragmented markets to coordinated action.
Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s planned National Single Window, launching March 2026, which will cut port clearance from 21 days to under seven.
“Integration cannot be declared. It must be engineered,” he said.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said Customs must lead AfCFTA’s success by enforcing rules of origin and trade preferences.
“Whether AfCFTA succeeds or fails depends on Customs,” he added.
Nigeria’s exports have grown over 30% in two years, with aims to redirect more trade within Africa, Adeniyi noted.
Finance Minister of State Doris Anite said, “Efficient borders reduce business costs and boost investor confidence,” while Trade Minister Jumoke Oduwole warned that “outdated systems still limit AfCFTA’s impact.”
World Customs Organisation Secretary-General Ian Saunders praised the summit, saying, “Borders divide; Customs connects.”
AfreximBank and AfCFTA officials pledged support for harmonised Customs to ease intra-African trade.
The summit continues with private-sector discussions on trade barriers and inconsistent AfCFTA rule enforcement.
