Customs Chief Highlights Strategic Push For African Trade Integration Ahead of Landmark C-PACT Summit

The Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has emphasized Nigeria’s strengthened commitment to advancing intra-African trade and Customs reforms. Ahead of the inaugural Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference from November 17–19.

Addressing the press at the State House in Abuja, Adeniyi outlined how Nigeria, backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, aims to leverage trade as a key driver for economic growth and continental connectivity.

Speaking at the State House “Meet the Press” forum, the CGC highlighted his mandate’s focus on trade facilitation, port decongestion, and modernization of cross-border systems. He stressed the critical role of Customs in ensuring the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enforcing rules of origin and fostering genuine trade benefits.With over 30 Customs administrations registered for the summit—including 22 led by Directors-General—Nigeria is set to convene key stakeholders, including the World Customs Organisation Secretary-General Ian Sanders, marking Nigeria’s rising influence in Africa’s trade diplomacy landscape.

Adeniyi also noted Nigeria’s export growth, urging a strategic redirection of exports toward African markets. He called on media and stakeholders to boost awareness ahead of what he termed a “historic window” for Nigeria to lead Africa’s economic transformation through enhanced intra-continental trade cooperation.

The CGC disclosed that Nigeria will, for the first time, host the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Sanders, during the conference.

He described the development as a significant recognition of Nigeria’s increasing leadership role in continental trade diplomacy.

He also highlighted the growing momentum in Nigeria’s export performance, saying volumes have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two years, emphasising, “the current challenge is to redirect more of this trade towards African markets.”

He acknowledged strong support from the Federal, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, the AFREXIMBANK Bank, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, port authorities and other agencies involved in cross-border trade, noting that their alignment has created “a historic window” for Nigeria to take command of its role in Africa’s economic transformation.

CGC Adeniyi urged the State House Press to help raise public awareness ahead of the Abuja summit, saying the first day of the programme will feature direct conversations with private-sector operators from across Africa to uncover the persistent barriers they face in moving goods across the continen