NIGERIA CUSTOMS ENGAGES AfCFTA SECRETARIAT ON SIMPLIFIED TRADE REGIME

Abuja, FCT | March 23, 2026

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held a strategic engagement with a delegation from the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, aimed at advancing the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) to support small-scale cross-border trade.

The Comptroller-General of Customs was represented at the meeting by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, who reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating trade and supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through simplified and transparent customs processes.

In her remarks, Niagwan emphasized the importance of inclusivity in trade, stating that the goal is to make cross-border transactions easier, more transparent, and accessible for small-scale traders, while ensuring compliance with national and regional regulations.

Leading the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao highlighted 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 presents a strategic advantage in driving inclusive trade and fostering regional economic growth.

During the session, the NCS presented its draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementing the STR in Nigeria. The framework outlines simplified customs processes covering informal cross-border trade, passenger baggage, and low-value e-commerce transactions, supported by digital declaration systems and risk-based controls.

Also speaking, Nabil Zibani, a consultant with the AfCFTA Secretariat, delivered a presentation on the proposed continental STR framework. He stressed the need to enable MSMEs to comply with customs procedures through simplified, transparent, and accessible systems that encourage broader participation in regional trade.

Deliberations during the engagement identified key areas of alignment between the NCS draft SOP and the AfCFTA framework. These include the simplification of documentation and procedures, the adoption of digital platforms for declaration and clearance, the introduction of de minimis thresholds for low-value trade, and the promotion of inclusive trade, particularly for women and MSMEs.

Both parties agreed on the importance of sustained technical collaboration to refine implementation strategies, address operational challenges, and ensure alignment between national and continental frameworks.

The engagement marks a significant step toward positioning Nigeria as a pilot country for the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime under the AfCFTA, while reinforcing the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, strengthening regional integration, and promoting inclusive economic growth.