The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating trade and supporting Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises through simplified and transparent customs processes.
The service stated this recently when it held a strategic engagement with a delegation from the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat with the aim of advancing the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime to support small-scale cross-border trade.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, the meeting was held in Abuja on Monday.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented at the meeting by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, “reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating trade and supporting Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises through simplified and transparent customs processes.”
“Our goal is to make trade easier, more transparent, and inclusive for small-scale traders, while ensuring compliance with national and regional trade regulations,” Adeniyi said.
In his opening remarks, the leader of the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao, outlined the objectives of the engagement, highlighting Nigeria’s designation as the pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime in West Africa.
He noted that Nigeria’s position as the largest market in the region places it at a strategic advantage in driving inclusive trade and regional economic growth.
A consultant with the AfCFTA Secretariat, Nabil Zibani, delivered a presentation on the proposed continental Simplified Trade Regime framework.
Mr Zibani emphasised the importance of enabling Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises to comply with customs procedures through simplified, transparent, and accessible systems that promote participation in regional trade.
Discussions during the engagement identified key areas of convergence between the Nigeria Customs Service draft standard operating procedure and the AfCFTA framework, including the simplification of documentation and procedures; the use of digital platforms for declaration and clearance; the adoption of de minimis thresholds for low-value trade; and the promotion of inclusive trade, particularly for women and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Both parties agreed on the need for sustained technical engagement to refine implementation strategies, address operational challenges, and ensure alignment between national and continental frameworks.
The engagement marks a significant step towards positioning Nigeria as a pilot country for implementing the Simplified Trade Regime under the AfCFTA, while reinforcing the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, strengthening regional integration, and supporting inclusive economic growth.
During the session, the Nigeria Customs Service presented its draft standard operating procedure for implementing the Simplified Trade Regime in Nigeria.
The presentation detailed simplified customs procedures covering informal cross-border trade, passenger baggage, and low-value e-commerce transactions, supported by digital declaration systems and risk-based controls.
